confesar
/konfeˈsaɾ/
To confess in Spanish is confesar.
The verb confesar is used to express the act of admitting to the truth. You can also use the verb reconocer, which can mean both to confess and to acknowledge or recognize something.
Meaning: to admit to the truth (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular preterite form (I confessed) is confesé, while the third-person singular preterite form (he/she/it confessed) is confesó. The past participle is confesado, and the related noun is confesión. To say "I confess" specifically, you can use Yo confieso.
How do you pronounce it?
/konfeˈsaɾ/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers sometimes use the phrase soltar la lengua (to let the tongue loose) as an idiom when someone confesses something they were trying to keep secret.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, the act of 'confessing' is often called confesarse, where the reflexive form implies the person is undergoing the ritual of confession.
- The noun confesionario refers specifically to the wooden box or structure in a church where a priest sits to hear confessions.
Examples in context
- Quería que Tom confesara.I wanted to hear Tom confess.This sentence shows the use of confesar in a context of wanting someone to confess.Tatoeba #2081629 by marcelostockle, translation #2013619 by CK
- Decidí confesar el delito.I decided to confess the crime.This sentence shows the use of confesar regarding a crime.Tatoeba #998236 by Shishir, translation #12285043 by mollydot
- Tarde o temprano confesará.He'll confess, sooner or later.This sentence shows the future usage of confesar.Tatoeba #998201 by Shishir, translation #2882339 by mervert1
- Me veo en la necesidad de confesar algo importante.I find myself in the need to confess something important.
- Debo confesar que cometí un error grave.I must confess that I made a serious mistake.
- Tienes que decirme la verdad, no puedes seguir ocultándolo.You have to confess the truth to me, you can't keep hiding it.
- Vamos, di la verdad, no hay razón para mentir.Come on, confess, there's no reason to lie.
- Admito que me equivoqué, espero que me perdones.I confess that I was wrong, I hope you forgive me.
- Siempre es mejor admitir tus errores y aprender de ellos.It's always better to confess your mistakes and learn from them.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are talking about a broken vase in the living room.
- Daniel¿Vas a confesar quién lo rompió?Are you going to confess who broke it?
- MaríaNo quiero confesar porque tengo miedo.I do not want to confess because I am afraid.
- DanielMaría, es mejor confesar ahora.María, it is better to confess now.
- MaríaEstá bien, lo confesaré.Okay, I will confess it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “confess” translations and entries confesar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
