Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "明らかな", "明確な", "明白", "明瞭"
All represent the core concept "clear", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
明らかな
あきらかな (akiraka na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
明確な
めいかくな (meikaku na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
明白
めいはく (meihaku)
N2 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
明瞭
めいりょう (meiryou)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "clear" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "明らかな", "明確な", "明白", "明瞭" based on context.
- 明らかな (あきらかな (akiraka na) - Level: N3): Maps to "clear, obvious, evident" and is used when Used to describe something that is easy to see, understand, or prove..
- 明確な (めいかくな (meikaku na) - Level: N3): Maps to "clear, precise, definite" and is used when 形容動詞.
- 明白 (めいはく (meihaku) - Level: N2): Maps to "clear, obvious, plain, evident" and is used when 物事や事実がはっきりと明らかで、疑う余地がないこと。誰が見ても疑う余地がないほど明らか。.
- 明瞭 (めいりょう (meiryou) - Level: N2): Maps to "clear, distinct, plain, explicit" and is used when Describes something that is easy to understand, hear, or see because it lacks ambiguity or haziness. Often used as 明瞭な.
Context for "明らかな"
彼の言葉には明らかな嘘があった。
There was a clear lie in his words.
Context for "明確な"
彼の指示はいつも明確なので、迷うことがない。
His instructions are always clear, so I never get confused.
Context for "明白"
彼の無罪は明白だった。
His innocence was evident.
Context for "明瞭"
彼の説明は非常に明瞭で分かりやすかった。
His explanation was very clear and easy to understand.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の言葉には ＿＿＿ 嘘があった。" (Meaning: "There was a clear lie in his words.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "明らかな" is correct here because it represents "clear, obvious, evident" in the context: "There was a clear lie in his words.".