Japanese Conversation · Level 44
90 words
Japanese word
不明
Pronunciation
Romajifumei
Meaning
- na-adjectiveunknown
Example
先生の名前は不明です。sen sei no na mae wa fu mei de su
The teacher's name is unknown.
More examples
申込書の記入方法が不明なので、受付で尋ねます。mōshi komi sho no ki nyū hō hō ga fu mei na no de uke tsuke de tazu ne ma su
Since the way to fill out the application form is unclear, I will ask at the reception desk.
Core concept
Describes information that is not known or not clear, leaving its exact state unresolved.
Common phrases
不明な点fu mei na ten
an unclear point
Similar words
不確かfutashika: Describes information or a state that cannot be confirmed as certain.
不詳fushō: Describes details that are unknown, especially in a formal record or report.
未知michi: Describes something whose nature or existence is not yet known.
Definition in Japanese
事実や内容などが知られておらず、明らかになっていない状態。ji jitsu ya nai yō na do ga shi ra re te o ra zu aki ra ka ni na tte i na i jō tai
Word origin
不明 (fumei) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 不 (fu, "not") and 明 (mei, "clear"), giving the sense of "not clear."
Usage tips
- In conversation, 不明 (fumei) sounds more formal than わからない (wakaranai), so it often appears in notices, records, or careful explanations.
Other meanings
- unclearna-adjective
- uncertainna-adjective
Opposites
- 既知kichiknownna-adjective
Related words
- 不明さfumeisalack of claritynoun