With spring underway, and Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air. Naturally, many people also decide to confess their feelings to their romantic interest during this time. This is true of Japan as well. This time around, we will learn the Japanese word for “confession”, Kokuhaku (告白).

While it is generally more common for men to confess their feelings to women, the opposite also happens in Japan. Traditionally, Valentine’s Day in Japan is actually a time for women to express their feelings to the person they are interested in by gifting chocolates.

One thing to note is that the dating culture in Japan is fairly different from the Western world. In the West, people often see each other or date without ever actually entering a relationship or becoming a couple. In Japan, whether or not a couple is officially in a relationship can almost be narrowed down to whether or not one has confessed their feelings and were accepted by the other.

Let’s remember the following useful sentences before going to Japan!

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●Yuuki wo dashite, kokuhakushita hou ga ii to omoimasuyo.
（勇気を出して、告白したほうがいいと思いますよ。）
> I think it’s best for you to just bring out your courage and confess.

●Kokuhakushite ii taimingu tte arimasuka?
（告白していいタイミングってありますか？）
> Is there a good timing to confess?

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Now all that’s left is to go out there and try using them in Japan!


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Setsubun (節分) Fun! Japan Words vol.130