Japanese word

告白

Pronunciation

Romajikokuhaku

Meaning

  • nounconfession

Example

彼女は友達に好きな気持ちを告白しました。kano jo wa tomo dachi ni su ki na ki mo chi o koku haku shi ma shi ta

She confessed her feelings to her friend.

Illustration for 告白 (confession)

More examples

私は先生に自分の間違いを告白しました。watashi wa sen sei ni ji bun no ma chiga i o koku haku shi ma shi ta

I confessed my mistake to my teacher.

Core concept

It centers on openly stating something personal that has been kept inside or undisclosed.

Common phrases

  • 告白をするkoku haku o su ru

    make a confession

  • 告白を受けるkoku haku o u ke ru

    receive a confession

  • 愛の告白ai no koku haku

    declaration of love

Similar words

懺悔zange: An expression of regret that admits a sin or wrong act.
自白jihaku: A statement admitting one's own crime or wrongdoing, often to an authority.
白状hakujō: An admission of a hidden mistake or wrongdoing, often made when pressed.
カミングアウトkaminguauto: A public or personal disclosure of an identity or personal fact that was previously hidden.

Definition in Japanese

心の中に抱いていた気持ちや、隠していた事実を打ち明けること。kokoro no naka ni ida i te i ta ki mo chi ya kaku shi te i ta ji jitsu o u chi a ke ru ko to

Word origin

告白 (kokuhaku) is formed from 告 (koku, "tell") and 白 (haku, "white"), with the combined sense of telling something and making it clear.

Usage tips

  • The romantic sense of 告白 (kokuhaku) is common in Japanese dramas and stories, where it usually refers to one person directly expressing love to another.

Other meanings

  • admissionnoun

Related words

  • 告白するkokuhakusuruconfessverb

Word lists with this word