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, 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.
昨日、好きだと言った。
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.
彼女は彼に愛の告白をした。
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.
彼は罪を告白した。
He confessed his crime.
自分の過ちを告白するのは勇気がいる。
It takes courage to confess your mistakes.
Often used for confessing under pressure, like in a police interrogation. Implies a reluctant admission.
容疑者はついに白状した。
The suspect finally confessed.
A legal term for confession, especially in court. Very formal and specific to criminal contexts.
被告人は自白した。
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.
友達に悩みを打ち明けた。
I confided my worries to a friend.
彼女は秘密を打ち明けた。
She revealed her secret.
Can also be used for revealing secrets, but often feels heavier or more dramatic than 打ち明ける.
彼は過去の過ちを告白した。
He confessed his past mistakes.
Literally 'to reveal a secret.' More neutral and can be used for any kind of secret, not necessarily personal.
彼はついに秘密を明かした。
He finally revealed the secret.