Translation guide
The English verb "confess" covers admitting wrongdoing, declaring romantic feelings, and acknowledging personal truths. Japanese uses different expressions depending on what is being confessed.
The speaker acknowledges having done something wrong, often to an authority or in a formal setting.
The most direct equivalent for confessing a crime or serious wrongdoing, often used in legal or police contexts.
容疑者はついに罪を自白した。
The suspect finally confessed to the crime.
Can be used for confessing a secret or wrongdoing, but more commonly associated with romantic confessions. In a crime context, it sounds slightly less formal than 自白する.
彼は自分の過ちを告白した。
He confessed his mistake.
Implies confessing under pressure or after being cornered. Often used when someone finally admits the truth.
問い詰められて、彼はすべてを白状した。
Pressed for answers, he confessed everything.
The speaker tells someone they like or love them, often with the hope of starting a relationship.
The standard term for a romantic confession. It is a culturally significant act in Japan, often marking the start of a relationship.
昨日、好きな人に告白した。
Yesterday, I confessed to the person I like.
A more casual way to describe the act of confessing, literally "to say I like you."
思い切って好きだと言った。
I took the plunge and told her I liked her.
A more dramatic or literary phrase meaning "to make a confession of love."
彼は彼女に愛の告白をした。
He confessed his love to her.
The speaker reveals something private about themselves, such as a fear, a past experience, or an embarrassing fact.
To confide in someone, to open up about something personal. Implies trust and a close relationship.
彼女は親友に秘密を打ち明けた。
She confessed her secret to her best friend.
Also used for confessing non-romantic secrets or truths, though it can sound slightly more formal or dramatic than 打ち明ける.
彼は自分の過去を告白した。
He confessed about his past.
A straightforward way to say "tell the truth" or "confess the truth."
もう、本当のことを言ってもいい？
Can I confess the truth now?
The speaker admits sins to a priest or to God.
Used in Christian contexts for confessing sins. The noun 告白 (こくはく) is also used for the sacrament of confession.
彼は教会で罪を告白した。
He confessed his sins at church.
A Buddhist term for repentance and confession of sins, but also used in general religious contexts. Can imply deep remorse.
彼は自分の罪を懺悔した。
He repented and confessed his sins.
告白する is a broad term for confession, covering crimes, love, and secrets. It often implies a formal or dramatic declaration. 打ち明ける specifically means to confide something personal to someone you trust, and is not used for crimes or romantic confessions.
彼に悩みを打ち明けた。
I confided my worries to him.
彼女に愛を告白した。
I confessed my love to her.
自白する is strictly for admitting crimes or serious wrongdoing. Using it for a love confession would sound bizarre and even humorous.