自白|じはくjihaku[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbconfession; admission
    その金かねを盗ぬすんだという彼かれの自白じはくに家族かぞくは驚おどろいた。↗
    His admission that he had stolen the money astonished his family.
Conjugation
Dictionary form自白する(じはくする)
Polite (masu)自白します(じはくします)
Negative (nai)自白しない(じはくしない)
polite (masen)自白しません(じはくしません)
classical zu / nu自白せず・自白せぬ(じはくせず・じはくせぬ)
Past (ta)自白した(じはくした)
polite (mashita)自白しました(じはくしました)
Past negative (nakatta)自白しなかった(じはくしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)自白しませんでした(じはくしませんでした)
Te form自白して(じはくして)
Potential自白できる(じはくできる)
Passive自白される(じはくされる)
Causative自白させる(じはくさせる)
Causative passive自白させられる(じはくさせられる)
Conditional (ba)自白すれば(じはくすれば)
tara自白したら(じはくしたら)
Volitional自白しよう(じはくしよう)
polite (mashou)自白しましょう(じはくしましょう)
Imperative自白しろ(じはくしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym白状はくじょうNeutralEveryday word for confessing a wrongdoing or something hidden, as in 「白状しなさい」; more colloquial than 「自白」, which leans written and legal.
  • Synonym告白こくはくNeutralBares one’s heart or confesses, but is used most often for declaring love; 「自白」 leans toward admitting secrets or crimes.
  • Synonym自供じきょうWrittenWritten/formal term for a suspect confessing under interrogation; 「自白」 is broader, also covering admissions of secrets.
  • Related打ち明けるうちあけるNeutralA verb for confiding one's feelings or secrets to someone; 「自白」 is more written and usually involves crimes.
  • Antonym否認ひにんWrittenWritten term for not acknowledging a fact; in legal contexts it commonly stands opposite 「自白」 as a confession.
  • Antonym黙秘もくひFormalFormal term for staying silent, as in 「黙秘権」; the opposite of confessing.

「自白」 is for confessing one's secrets or crimes, or in law admitting the other side's claims (「自白を強要する」). Everyday confession is 「白状」, interrogation 「自供」, declaring love 「告白」, confiding 「打ち明ける」; opposites: 「否認」, 「黙秘」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 自みずからに係かかる秘密ひみつなどを白状はくじょうすること。
  2. 対立たいりつする相手方あいてがたの主張しゅちょうを認みとめること。
  3. (刑事けいじ訴訟そしょう)被疑者ひぎしゃ・被告人ひこくにんが犯罪はんざい事実じじつを認みとめること。
  4. (民事みんじ訴訟そしょう)相手方あいてがたが主張しゅちょうする又または主張しゅちょうすべき自分じぶんに不利ふりな事実じじつを真しんと認みとめること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android