The Hebrew term for repentance especially central to Yom Kippur is teshuva.
Teshuva, also transliterated teshuvah, literally conveys the idea of “return”—turning back toward God and a better ethical path. In Jewish thought, it is not merely feeling guilty. Traditional accounts describe it as recognizing wrongdoing, regretting it, confessing it, and resolving not to repeat it. Yom Kippur gives this process its most concentrated annual setting.
The Ten Days of Repentance begin with Rosh Hashanah and conclude with Yom Kippur. During this period, Jews may examine their conduct, seek forgiveness, and make amends. Jewish teachings also distinguish between wrongs against God and wrongs against other people: prayer alone does not repair harm done to another person, so direct reconciliation is required.
Teshuva is easy to confuse with related practices. Tashlikh is a Rosh Hashanah custom symbolically casting sins into water; Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat or a festival; and Kiddush sanctifies a day over wine. None is the general Hebrew term for repentance.