rimpianto

Rimpianto is a noun in Italian that denotes a feeling of regret or longing for something lost or past. It commonly refers to disappointment about actions not taken, opportunities missed, or events that cannot be changed.

Rimpianto derives from the verb rimpiangere, to regret or miss. It is distinct from pentimento, which denotes remorse tied to a wrong or sinful action, and from nostalgia, which is a broader longing for the past that is not necessarily linked to personal responsibility for past events. Rimpianto emphasizes regret about specific past outcomes or choices and can be accompanied by a sense of yearning.

In everyday language, rimpianto is used in sentences such as "Ho rimpianto di non aver accettato quell'offerta." In literature and philosophy, it is employed to discuss existential questions, counterfactual thinking, and the human tendency to reflect on what might have been. In psychology, regret is treated as a cognitive emotion arising from evaluating past actions against realized outcomes, and it can influence future decision making and learning; it may be adaptive or maladaptive depending on context and coping strategies.

Related terms include rammarico (a milder form of regret), rimpiangere (to regret or miss), pentimento (remorse for wrongdoing), and nostalgia (longing for the past). The precise nuance can vary by context and speaker.