confession

告白、自白

自分の過ちや、秘密にしていたことを認めて話すこと。

やさしい英語で： An admission that you have done something wrong or something you kept secret.

• I have a confession to make.
• His confession surprised everyone in the room.
• Police questioned her again after the confession.

使い方： confession that… (Her confession that she had lied upset us.); confession to someone (His confession to the police came several days later.)

類義語： admission

反対語： denial

よく使う表現： make a confession, confession to someone, confession that something

自白書

自分が悪いことをしたと認める、正式な書面。

やさしい英語で： A formal written statement in which someone admits doing something wrong.

• He signed a confession.
• The lawyer said the written confession was false.
• Two signed confessions were presented in court.

類義語： written admission

よく使う表現： written confession, sign a confession, signed confession

告解、懺悔

司祭に自分の罪を話し、神の赦しを求めること。

やさしい英語で： The act of telling a priest about your sins and asking for God’s forgiveness.

• She went to confession on Saturday.
• The priest hears confession before the evening service.
• He felt calmer after his first confession.

使い方： go to confession (My grandmother goes to confession regularly.)

よく使う表現： go to confession, hear confession, first confession