confesar

Confesar is a Spanish verb meaning “to admit,” “to acknowledge,” or “to make a confession.” Its primary senses involve declaring a truth, often one that is hidden, personal, or incriminating. The term derives from Latin *confessare*, a frequentative form of *confiteri* (“to acknowledge”), itself composed of *con-* (intensive) and *fateri* (“to admit”).

In everyday language, confesar is used when a speaker reveals a personal secret, admits a mistake, or discloses information that had been kept private. The construction typically follows a direct‑object pattern: “Él confesó su culpa” (He confessed his guilt). Reflexive forms, such as *confesarse*, can indicate mutual confession or a self‑disclosure of feelings.

The verb holds particular significance in religious contexts, especially within Catholicism, where *confesar* denotes the act of sacramental confession to a priest. This ritual, known as the Sacrament of Penance, involves the penitent verbally acknowledging sins and receiving absolution. The theological framework emphasizes contrition, confession, and satisfaction.

In legal settings, *confesar* refers to a formal admission of guilt, often recorded in police reports or court proceedings. Many jurisdictions require that confessions be given voluntarily and with awareness of rights; coerced statements may be deemed inadmissible.

Culturally, the concept of confession appears in literature, film, and music, frequently as a narrative device that reveals character motivations or resolves plot tension. The term also functions metaphorically in expressions like “confesar su amor,” meaning to reveal romantic feelings.

Overall, *confesar* encapsulates a range of communicative acts centered on the disclosure of truth, whether personal, religious, or legal.