Translation guide
The English word "guilty" covers legal guilt, feelings of remorse, and responsibility for wrongdoing. Japanese uses different expressions depending on the nuance.
罪悪感がある。
I feel guilty.
彼は有罪判決を受けた。
He was found guilty.
Expressing a personal feeling of guilt, regret, or a guilty conscience about something one has done.
Literally 'to have a sense of guilt'. This is the most common way to say you feel guilty about something.
彼に嘘をついて罪悪感がある。
I feel guilty for lying to him.
An adjective meaning to feel guilty or have a guilty conscience, often implying a sense of unease or fear of being found out.
何か後ろめたいことがあるの？
Do you have something to feel guilty about?
Similar to 後ろめたい, meaning to feel guilty or have a troubled conscience. Often used in the phrase やましいところがある (to have a guilty conscience).
やましいことは何もない。
I have nothing to feel guilty about.
A more formal expression meaning 'to feel sorry' or 'to feel apologetic', often used in situations where you feel you have caused trouble.
ご迷惑をおかけして申し訳なく思っています。
I feel guilty for causing you trouble.
Stating that someone is guilty of a crime in a legal context.
The standard legal term for 'guilty'. Used in court verdicts and legal discussions.
彼は有罪判決を受けた。
He was found guilty.
被告人は有罪と宣告された。
The defendant was declared guilty.
Literally 'committed a crime'. Used to describe the act of being guilty of a specific offense.
彼は罪を犯したことを認めた。
He admitted he was guilty of the crime.
Acknowledging that one is at fault or to blame for something, not necessarily a crime.
A very common and casual way to admit fault, like saying 'my bad' or 'it's my fault'. Often used in everyday apologies.
ごめん、私が悪かった。
Sorry, I was guilty (it was my fault).
Means 'to be responsible'. Used when acknowledging responsibility for a mistake or problem.
この問題については私に責任がある。
I am guilty (responsible) for this problem.
A colloquial way to say 'it's (someone's) fault'. Often used in casual blame.
全部俺のせいだ。
It's all my fault. (I'm guilty of everything.)
Describing something one enjoys but feels slightly ashamed or embarrassed about.
Literally 'can't stop'. Often used to describe a guilty pleasure, implying you know it's not great but you enjoy it anyway.
ポテチはやめられない。
Potato chips are my guilty pleasure.
A direct way to say 'a bit embarrassing but I like it', capturing the essence of a guilty pleasure.
アイドルの曲はちょっと恥ずかしいけど好きだ。
I have a guilty pleasure for idol songs.
Avoid directly translating 'I feel guilty' as 私は有罪です (Watashi wa yūzai desu), which means 'I am guilty' in a legal sense. Use 罪悪感がある or 後ろめたい for feelings of guilt.
Both mean having a guilty conscience, but 後ろめたい often implies a fear of being discovered, while やましい focuses more on the internal moral discomfort. They are often interchangeable.