悔过 (huǐ guò) is a formal, written verb meaning 'to admit and sincerely repent one's wrongdoing.' It combines 悔 (huǐ), meaning 'to regret' or 'to feel remorse,' and 过 (guò), meaning 'mistake' or 'wrongdoing' — literally 'regretting one’s mistake.' Unlike casual expressions like 后悔 (hòuhuǐ, 'to regret'), 悔过 carries strong moral weight and implies taking responsibility, often in contexts of discipline, legal consequences, or spiritual reflection.

This word appears frequently in official documents, news reports about misconduct, religious or ethical instruction, and historical narratives. It suggests not just feeling bad but actively acknowledging fault and resolving to change. It is rarely used in light or humorous speech; instead, it conveys gravity and solemnity. The subject is typically a person who has committed a clear violation — personal, social, or institutional — and is now undergoing moral reckoning.