罪悪感

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: It is read ざいあくかん. 罪悪 contributes wrongdoing and 感 a feeling, forming a word for the sense that one has done something wrong.
• Basic usage: It is used when one's actions cause a sense of guilt or moral unease. In the example, the speaker feels guilty about breaking a promise.
  • 約束を破ったことに罪悪感を覚えた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Guilt versus regret
  • 罪悪感 focuses on feeling that one's action was wrong, while 後悔 focuses on regretting a past choice. The feelings can occur together, but not every regret involves guilt.