Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing repentance depends heavily on context: religious confession, personal regret, or formal apology. The most common everyday expression is 反省 (hansei), meaning self-reflection and acknowledgment of wrongdoing. For deeper, often religious repentance, 悔い改め (kuiaratame) is used, especially in Christian contexts. In formal apologies, 謝罪 (shazai) conveys apology with remorse.
Expressing that you recognize your mistake and feel sorry, often with a resolve to improve. Common in daily life, school, or work.
The most common and natural way to express repentance as self-reflection. It implies acknowledging a fault and intending to do better. Used in both casual and formal settings.
I am reflecting on my actions (with regret).
I was made to write a letter of apology/reflection.
Verb form: to reflect on one's wrongdoing, to feel remorse. Often used with 深く (deeply) for emphasis.
He deeply regretted his mistake.
Means 'regret' rather than full repentance. It focuses on wishing something hadn't happened, without necessarily the moral resolve to change. Use when the feeling is more about personal disappointment.
後悔 is about regret, not necessarily moral repentance. It can be used for trivial things, unlike 反省 which implies a lesson learned.
I regret saying that back then.
Expressing repentance in a religious sense, such as turning away from sin, often with a change of heart. Common in Christian or spiritual contexts.
The standard term for religious repentance, especially in Christianity. It implies not just regret but a turning away from sin and a change of life. Often used in the phrase 悔い改める (to repent).
Repent of your sins and return to God.
Confession and repentance, often in a Buddhist or Catholic context. It can also be used more generally for confessing one's wrongs deeply.
Literally 'change of heart', implying a moral conversion or reformation. Used in religious or dramatic personal transformation contexts.
Expressing repentance as part of a formal apology, often in public or official contexts. Implies taking responsibility and showing remorse.
A formal apology that includes an element of remorse. Often used in official statements, press conferences, or business settings. It goes beyond a simple 'sorry'.
The company apologized (with remorse) for the scandal.
A very formal, often written, expression of apology and remorse. Used in official documents or solemn public statements.
反省 (hansei) implies recognizing a mistake and resolving to improve, often with a moral component. 後悔 (koukai) is simply regret, which can be about anything from a bad purchase to a life choice, without necessarily implying a lesson learned. Use 反省 when you want to show you've learned from the error.
Directly translating 'repentance' as 悔い改め in everyday conversation can sound overly religious or dramatic. For daily apologies or self-reflection, use 反省 or 後悔 depending on the nuance.
He made a confession at church.
彼は改心して真人間になった。
He had a change of heart and became an honest person.
I hereby express my deepest apologies.