罪悪感（ざいあくかん、zaiakukan）
- guilt

The Japanese word 罪悪感, pronounced ざいあくかん (zaia-kukan), translates to "guilt," "sense of guilt," or "feeling of guilt" in English. It refers to the unpleasant emotion one experiences when they believe they have done something wrong, violated a moral code, or caused harm to someone or something. It involves a feeling of responsibility and remorse for one's actions. 罪悪感 can range from mild regret to intense self-condemnation.

⚫︎嘘をついたことに対して、強い《罪悪感を感じた。》 Translation: I felt a strong sense of guilt about telling a lie. ⚫︎人に迷惑をかけた後、深く《罪悪感に苛まれた。》 Translation: After causing trouble for someone, I was deeply tormented by guilt. ⚫︎彼は自分の行動に対する《罪悪感から、なかなか立ち直れなかった。》 Translation: He couldn't easily recover from the guilt over his actions.

You can use 罪悪感 in various situations to express a feeling of guilt. ⚫︎When you've done something you regret. ⚫︎When you've caused harm to someone else. ⚫︎When you've acted against your own moral principles. The context of the situation should be clear when you use this word.

罪悪感 is typically written in kanji and hiragana: 罪悪感. ⚫︎ 罪 (zai) means "crime" or "sin." ⚫︎ 悪 (aku) means "evil" or "wrong." ⚫︎ 感 (kan) means "feeling" or "sense." There are no other common ways to write this word, and the okurigana (suffix hiragana) is fixed.

⚫︎ 後悔 (koukai) - regret ⚫︎ 自責の念 (jisekino nen) - feeling of self-reproach ⚫︎ 良心の呵責 (ryoushin no kashaku) - pangs of conscience

While there isn't a direct antonym, words that represent the absence of guilt or a positive emotional state can be considered opposite, depending on the context. ⚫︎ 安堵 (anto) - relief ⚫︎ 安心 (anshin) - peace of mind ⚫︎ 無罪 (muzai) - innocence

試験でカンニングをしてしまい、深く《罪悪感を覚えた。》 ・Translation: I cheated on the exam and felt a deep sense of guilt. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the feeling of guilt experienced after committing a dishonest act.

彼女は友達を傷つけてしまったことに、ずっと《罪悪感を抱いていた。》 ・Translation: She had been feeling guilty for hurting her friend for a long time. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the prolonged feeling of guilt that can persist after causing harm to someone.

The word 罪悪感 is a compound word formed from the kanji 罪 (zai), 悪 (aku), and 感 (kan). As explained above.