Translation guide
The English verb "admit" covers several distinct meanings: confessing to something, allowing entry, acknowledging truth, and accepting patients. Each meaning maps to different Japanese expressions.
To say that you have done something wrong or that something is true, often reluctantly.
The most common and versatile verb for admitting a fact, fault, or truth. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
彼は自分の間違いを認めた。
He admitted his mistake.
私は彼女が正しいと認めざるを得ない。
I have to admit that she is right.
Specifically means to confess, often used for admitting guilt or a secret. Slightly more dramatic than 認める.
彼は警察に罪を白状した。
He confessed his crime to the police.
To confess, often used for personal feelings, secrets, or romantic confessions. Can also be used for admitting a crime.
彼は彼女に愛を告白した。
He confessed his love to her.
To confide or open up about something personal, often a secret or worry. Implies a close relationship.
彼女は親友に悩みを打ち明けた。
She admitted her troubles to her best friend.
To allow someone to enter a place, or to allow someone to join an organization.
The most common verb for letting someone in physically. Can be used for rooms, buildings, events, etc.
彼は私を部屋に入れてくれた。
He admitted me into the room.
このチケットで2人入れます。
This ticket admits two people.
Specifically for admitting someone to a school. The phrase 入学を許可する is formal; in casual speech, 入れる is often used.
彼はその大学に入学を許可された。
He was admitted to the university.
Formal expression for allowing entry to a venue or event. Often seen on signs or in official contexts.
関係者以外の入場は許可されません。
Admittance is not permitted except for authorized personnel.
To accept that something is true or valid, often in an argument or discussion.
Same verb as for confessing, but here it means acknowledging a fact or point. Very common.
彼は自分の負けを認めた。
He admitted defeat.
それは事実だと認めます。
I admit that it is a fact.
To accept a situation, fact, or idea, often with a nuance of coming to terms with it.
To take someone into a hospital for treatment.
The standard verb for admitting a patient to a hospital. The intransitive form is 入院する (to be hospitalized).
彼は緊急入院した。
He was admitted to the hospital as an emergency.
医者は彼女を入院させることにした。
The doctor decided to admit her to the hospital.
認める is the general term for admitting a fact or mistake. 白状する is specifically for confessing guilt or a secret, often under pressure. 告白する is for confessing feelings or personal truths, and can be used for crimes but sounds more emotional.
彼は浮気を認めた。
He admitted to cheating.
容疑者は犯行を白状した。
The suspect confessed to the crime.
彼は彼女に秘密を告白した。
He confessed his secret to her.
認める cannot be used for allowing someone to enter a place. Use 入れる or 入場を許可する instead. Saying 彼を部屋に認めた would mean 'I acknowledged him in the room', not 'I let him into the room'.
認めざるを得ないが、私が間違っていた。
I must admit, I was wrong.
その大学は今年500人の新入生を受け入れた。
The university admitted 500 new students this year.
彼は罪を認めた。
He admitted to the crime.
彼は現実を受け入れた。
He admitted the reality.