Translation guide
Expressing sincere remorse or regret for wrongdoing, often with a sense of moral or spiritual guilt. Japanese has several nuanced terms, from formal apologies to deep self-reproach.
To express heartfelt regret for a mistake or wrongdoing, often in personal or formal contexts.
Reflection on one's actions with regret; commonly used in everyday apologies and self-improvement contexts.
自分の行動を反省しています。
I am reflecting on my actions with regret.
Regret or remorse for past actions; often implies a wish that things had been done differently.
彼は自分の過ちを深く後悔している。
He deeply regrets his mistake.
Deep remorse or penitence; a more literary and intense term, often used in serious or moral contexts.
彼は罪の意識に苛まれ、悔恨の念に駆られた。
Tormented by guilt, he was driven by feelings of contrition.
To express contrition in a formal or public setting, such as a business apology or official statement.
A formal phrase meaning 'I am deeply reflecting on my actions with regret,' often used in public apologies.
この度の不祥事について、深く反省しております。
Regarding this recent scandal, I am deeply remorseful.
A very polite apology meaning 'I sincerely apologize,' often implying deep regret.
ご迷惑をおかけしたことを、心よりお詫び申し上げます。
I sincerely apologize for the trouble I have caused.
To express contrition in a religious or deeply moral sense, often involving confession or atonement.
Confession and repentance, especially in a religious context (e.g., Buddhism, Christianity). Implies deep contrition.
彼は教会で罪の懺悔をした。
He confessed his sins at church.
To describe the internal emotional state of contrition, often involving guilt or self-blame.
A sense of guilt; commonly used to describe the feeling of having done wrong.
彼は罪悪感に苛まれている。
He is tormented by guilt.
Feelings of self-reproach; a more formal phrase for blaming oneself.
彼女は自責の念に駆られて、何も手につかなかった。
Overcome with self-reproach, she couldn't focus on anything.
反省 (hansei) is the most common term for reflecting on one's actions with regret, often used in everyday apologies and self-improvement. 後悔 (koukai) is regret, focusing on wishing things had been different. 懺悔 (zange) is specifically religious confession and repentance, implying a deeper moral or spiritual contrition.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'contrition' in all contexts. Using 悔恨 (kaikon) may sound overly dramatic or literary in casual speech. Choose the term based on the specific nuance: everyday regret (反省), guilt (罪悪感), or religious repentance (懺悔).
To repent and reform; a verb often used in religious or moral contexts to indicate turning away from wrongdoing.
彼は自分の罪を悔い改めた。
He repented of his sins.