白状

• Reading: はくじょう
• Romaji: hakujou
• Kanji breakdown: 白 (haku) — white, to state plainly; 状 (jou) — form, condition
• Pronunciation: /ha.kɯ.dʑoː/

Meaning

Confession; admitting to a wrongdoing or secret, often under pressure.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (白状する, to confess). Implies confessing something one tried to hide, often under interrogation or pressure. Slightly less formal than 自白 (legal confession). Used in both serious contexts like police interrogation and lighter situations like admitting a secret.

Examples

1. 犯人はついに犯行を白状した。 The culprit finally confessed to the crime.
2. 問い詰められて本当のことを白状するしかなかった。 When pressed, I had no choice but to confess the truth.
3. 嘘をついていたことを白状して謝った。 I confessed that I had been lying and apologized.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, interrogation, confessions, daily life

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 白 (haku, white/plain/to state) + 状 (jou, form/condition). The character 白 carries the meaning of 'to make plain' or 'to lay bare,' combined with 状 to mean revealing the true state of affairs.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal