告白

• Reading: こくはく
• Romaji: kokuhaku
• Kanji breakdown: 告 (koku) — to announce, to report | 白 (haku) — white, clear, open declaration
• Pronunciation: /ko.kɯ.ha.kɯ/

Meaning

Confession; declaration; admission. An honest disclosure of feelings, secrets, or wrongdoing.

A noun and suru-verb (告白する) combining 告 (to announce, to report) and 白 (white, pure, to make clear). In everyday modern usage it most commonly refers to confessing romantic feelings (similar to a love declaration), but also extends to confessing a crime, a past mistake, or a deeply held truth. The nuance of vulnerability and honesty is central.

Examples

1. 長年胸に秘めてきた気持ちをついに告白したが、やんわりと断られた。 He finally confessed the feelings he had kept hidden for years, but was gently turned down.
2. 友人への告白が思わぬ形で周囲に広まり、関係がこじれてしまった。 His confession to a friend unexpectedly spread to others, and it strained their relationship.
3. 過去の過ちを告白することで、自分の中の重荷が少し軽くなった気がした。 By confessing his past mistakes, he felt as though a weight had been slightly lifted from his shoulders.

Usage Guide

Context: romance, personal reflection, legal, religion

Tone: sincere

Origin & History

Compound of 告 (koku) meaning 'to announce, to report' and 白 (haku) meaning 'white, clear, to make known'. The character 白 in this compound carries the classical meaning of 'to declare openly', used in legal contexts since ancient times.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General