Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing confession depends heavily on context: admitting a mistake, revealing romantic feelings, or disclosing a secret. The most common and versatile word is 告白する, but other expressions are used for specific situations.
I confessed my feelings to him.
I confessed, saying 'I like you. Please go out with me.'
A more casual way to say 'confess feelings,' literally 'to say I like you.' Often used in everyday conversation.
Yesterday, I told him/her I like them.
A more dramatic or literary phrase meaning 'to make a declaration of love.' Used in novels or formal contexts.
She made a declaration of love to him.
To acknowledge that you did something wrong, often in a formal or serious context.
Also used for confessing sins, crimes, or mistakes. It carries a weight of honesty and disclosure.
He confessed his crime.
It takes courage to confess your mistakes.
Often used for confessing under pressure, like in a police interrogation. Implies a reluctant admission.
The suspect finally confessed.
A legal term for confession, especially in court. Very formal and specific to criminal contexts.
The defendant confessed.
To reveal something private or hidden about yourself, not necessarily romantic or criminal.
To confide in someone, to open up and share a secret or personal matter. Implies trust and intimacy.
I confided my worries to a friend.
Can also be used for revealing secrets, but often feels heavier or more dramatic than 打ち明ける.
He confessed his past mistakes.
Literally 'to reveal a secret.' More neutral and can be used for any kind of secret, not necessarily personal.
He finally revealed the secret.
She revealed her secret.