Japanese word

文脈

Pronunciation

Romajibunmyaku

Meaning

nouncontext

Example

前後を読むと、文脈が分かります。zen go o yo mu to bun myaku ga wa ka ri ma su

When you read what comes before and after, you can understand the context.

More examples

単語の意味は、文脈によって変わることがあります。tan go no i mi wa bun myaku ni yo tte ka wa ru ko to ga a ri ma su

The meaning of a word can change depending on the context.

Core concept

It is the connected background around language or events that shows how they should be understood.

Common phrases

文脈を読むbun myaku o yo mu
read the context
文脈を理解するbun myaku o ri kai su ru
understand the context
文脈から判断するbun myaku ka ra han dan su ru
judge from the context

Similar words

前後関係zengokankei: The words or sentences before and after a passage help show its meaning.
背景haikei: The events and circumstances surrounding a person or event help explain it.
脈絡myakuraku: The logical connection among words, ideas, or events makes their meaning clear.

Definition in Japanese

文章や会話の前後関係、または物事を理解するための周囲の事情。bun shō ya kai wa no zen go kan kei ma ta wa mono goto o ri kai su ru ta me no shū i no ji jō

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 文脈 (bunmyaku) joins 文 (bun, "writing") and 脈 (myaku, "vein" or "pulse"), giving the word a sense of connected textual flow.

Usage tips

In literature and films, context can explain why a character's ordinary words carry a special meaning in a particular scene.

Other meanings

line of thoughtnoun

Related words

文脈的bunmyakutekicontextualna-adjective