Retrospect is the act of thinking back to a time that has already happened, especially once you know more than you knew then. The extra knowledge is the point: you are not only remembering; you are seeing the old moment with new eyes.

Retrospectretrospect is the act of thinking back to a time that has already happened是回頭去想已經發生過的某段時間這個動作, especially once you know more than you knew then尤其是在你現在知道得比當時更多的時候。The extra knowledge is the point多出來的這些認知才是重點: you are not only remembering你不只是在回憶; you are seeing the old moment with new eyes你是用新的眼光重新看那個舊時刻。

In real English this word lives inside one phrase above all: in retrospect. “In retrospect, I should have left earlier.” That is how almost every learner will meet it.

In real English this word lives inside one phrase above all在實際的英文裡,這個字幾乎只活在一個片語裡: in retrospectin retrospect(事後看來)。"In retrospect, I should have left earlier."「In retrospect, I should have left earlier.」 That is how almost every learner will meet it幾乎每個學習者都是從這裡認識這個字的。

Though actually, a bare noun (a retrospect of the year) does exist in more formal or literary English, meaning a look-back, but it is much rarer. The verb “to retrospect” is rarer still; people say look back.

Though actually不過其實, a bare noun (a retrospect of the year) does exist in more formal or literary English在比較正式或文學性的英文裡,確實有單獨當名詞用的形式(像a retrospect of the year), meaning a look-back意思是「回顧」, but it is much rarer但這樣用的情況少很多。The verb "to retrospect" is rarer still動詞的「to retrospect」更是罕見; people say look back大家會說look back。

The feeling can be kind or sharp — relief, regret, or a quiet “ah, now I understand.”

The feeling can be kind or sharp這種感覺可以是溫和的,也可以是尖銳的 — relief, regret, or a quiet "ah, now I understand."像是鬆一口氣、後悔,或是一句輕輕的「啊,我現在懂了」。