Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "晴れる", "明確な", "はっきりした", "明白"
All represent the core concept "clear", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
晴れる
はれる (hareru)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
明確な
めいかくな (meikaku na)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
はっきりした
はっきりした (hakkirishita)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
明白
めいはく (meihaku)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "clear" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "晴れる", "明確な", "はっきりした", "明白" based on context.
- 晴れる (はれる (hareru) - Level: N5): Maps to "to clear up (weather), to be sunny" and is used when Refers to the weather becoming clear or sunny after being cloudy or rainy. Often used as 晴れます.
- 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.
- はっきりした (はっきりした (hakkirishita) - Level: N3): Maps to "clear, distinct, definite" and is used when Often used to describe something that is easy to understand, well-defined, or stated clearly. Can also be used for feelings or thoughts..
- 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。.
Context for "晴れる"
明日は晴れるでしょう。
It will probably be sunny tomorrow.
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 "はっきりした"
彼の説明はとてもはっきりしていたので、よく理解できました。
His explanation was very clear, so I understood it well.
Context for "明白"
彼の無罪は明白だった。
His innocence was evident.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "明日は ＿＿＿ でしょう。" (Meaning: "It will probably be sunny tomorrow.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "晴れる" is correct here because it represents "to clear up (weather), to be sunny" in the context: "It will probably be sunny tomorrow.".