罪 悪 感(ざいあくかん)

ざいあくかん

noun

sense of guilt; guilt

emotion

1. sense of guilt; guilty conscience

The feeling of guilt or remorse one experiences after doing something wrong or perceived as wrong.

罪悪感(ざいあくかん)を感(かん)じている。

I feel guilty.

罪悪感(ざいあくかん)を感(かん)じる必要(ひつよう)はない。

There's no need to feel guilty.

嘘(うそ)をついた罪悪感(ざいあくかん)に苛(さいな)まれている。

I'm tormented by guilt for having lied.

罪悪感(ざいあくかん)なく休暇(きゅうか)を楽(たの)しめない。

I can't enjoy my vacation without feeling guilty.

約束(やくそく)を破(やぶ)ったことに対(たい)する罪悪感(ざいあくかん)が消(き)えない。

I can't shake the guilt over breaking my promise.

Forms

罪悪(ざいあく) (sin; wrongdoing) + 感(かん) (feeling)

Common patterns

罪悪感(ざいあくかん)を感(かん)じる: to feel guilty
罪悪感(ざいあくかん)に苛(さいな)まれる: to be tormented by guilt
罪悪感(ざいあくかん)がある: to have feelings of guilt
罪悪感(ざいあくかん)なく: without guilt

USAGE (psychology):
In psychology, 罪悪感(ざいあくかん) is distinguished from 羞恥心(しゅうちしん) (shame) - guilt focuses on actions while shame focuses on self-image.

Related words

後悔(こうかい): regret
良心(りょうしん)の呵責(かしゃく): pangs of conscience

Related Words

Related: 後悔(こうかい) (regret)

Compare: 羞恥心(しゅうちしん) (shame)

Compare: 自責(じせき)の念(ねん) (sense of self-reproach)

core

Added 2026.1.17 2:25 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:27

05500/05951_zaiakukan