告白(こくはく)

こくはく
noun, suru-verb
confession (of love); confession (of guilt)
1. confession of love
Telling someone you have romantic feelings for them.
彼女(かのじょ)に告白(こくはく)したが、振(ふ)られた。
I confessed my feelings to her, but was rejected.
告白(こくはく)するタイミングを待(ま)っている。
I'm waiting for the right time to confess my feelings.
2. confession; admission
Openly admitting to something, especially a crime or wrongdoing.
犯人(はんにん)は罪(つみ)を告白(こくはく)した。
The criminal confessed to the crime.

VERB FORM:
告白(こくはく)する (to confess)

USAGE:

Sense 1 (love confession) is extremely common in Japanese culture:

  • 告白(こくはく)する (to confess one's feelings)
  • 告白(こくはく)される (to be confessed to)
  • 告白(こくはく)を受(う)ける (to receive a confession)

This is the typical way relationships begin in Japan, especially among young people. Popular settings include after school, during festivals, or before graduation.

Sense 2 (admission of guilt) is used in more formal contexts:

  • 告白(こくはく)記(き) - confession, memoir
  • 罪(つみ)の告白(こくはく) - confession of sin

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 自白(じはく) - confession (legal, to police)
  • 白状(はくじょう) - confession, admission
  • 懺悔(ざんげ) - confession (religious)

Related Words

Related: 自白(じはく) (legal confession)
general
Added 2026.1.18 14:06 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06742_kokuhaku