Translation guide
The English verb 'commit' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: doing something wrong or illegal, making a firm decision or promise, dedicating yourself to something, and sending data in computing. Each meaning has different natural Japanese expressions.
Express that someone carries out a crime, sin, mistake, or bad act.
The most direct equivalent for committing a crime or sin. Often used with words like 罪 (crime/sin) or 過ち (mistake).
彼は罪を犯した。
He committed a crime.
同じ過ちを犯さないでください。
Please don't commit the same mistake.
A more general verb meaning 'to carry out' or 'to perform'. Used for acts like crimes or violations in formal contexts.
彼は重大な違反行為を行った。
He committed a serious violation.
A very casual, slangy verb meaning 'to do something bad' or 'to mess up'. Used among friends.
またやらかしたのか？
Did you commit another blunder?
Express making a firm decision, promise, or pledge to do something.
The standard way to say 'promise' or 'commit to doing something'. Used in both casual and formal settings.
彼は毎日運動すると約束した。
He committed to exercising every day.
私は時間を守ると約束します。
I commit to being on time.
Means 'to make up one's mind' or 'resolve to do something'. Emphasizes personal determination.
彼女は留学することを決心した。
She committed to studying abroad.
A loanword from English, used in business or tech contexts to mean 'commit' to a plan or goal. Sounds modern and slightly formal.
プロジェクトにコミットしてください。
Please commit to the project.
Express strong dedication or devotion to something like a relationship, work, or belief.
Means 'to devote oneself' or 'to concentrate on'. Commonly used for committing to work, studies, or a task.
彼は研究に専念している。
He is committed to his research.
A formal expression meaning 'to make efforts' or 'to devote oneself'. Often used in speeches or writing.
彼は平和のために尽力した。
He committed himself to peace.
Literally 'to offer one's body/life'. A strong, dramatic expression for total commitment, like to a cause or person.
彼女は芸術に身を捧げた。
She committed her life to art.
Express the action of saving or finalizing changes in a database or version control system.
The standard loanword used in IT contexts, especially for Git commits. Can be used as a noun or with する.
変更をコミットしてください。
Please commit the changes.
このコミットにはバグ修正が含まれています。
This commit includes bug fixes.
Means 'to finalize' or 'to confirm'. Used in database transactions (commit) or when confirming changes.
トランザクションを確定する。
Commit the transaction.
Express sending someone to a hospital, prison, or mental institution, often involuntarily.
Specifically means 'to hospitalize' or 'to commit to a hospital'. The causative form of 入院する.
彼は精神病院に入院させられた。
He was committed to a mental hospital.
A formal term meaning 'to accommodate' or 'to confine'. Used for prisons, camps, or institutions.
囚人は刑務所に収容された。
The prisoner was committed to jail.
犯す is only for crimes, sins, or serious mistakes. Using it for a promise or dedication would be incorrect. For example, 'commit to a plan' is not 計画を犯す.
約束する implies a promise to someone else, while 決心する is a personal resolution. Use 約束する when you commit to another person, and 決心する when you decide for yourself.
彼に手伝うと約束した。
I promised him I would help.
早起きしようと決心した。
I resolved to wake up early.