Japanese word

明かす

Pronunciation

Romajiakasu

Meaning

  • verbreveal

Example

彼は秘密を明かします。kare wa hi mitsu o a ka shi ma su

He reveals the secret.

Illustration for 明かす (reveal)

More examples

彼女は長年隠していた本音を明かしました。kano jo wa naga nen kaku shi te i ta hon ne o a ka shi ma shi ta

She revealed her true feelings after hiding them for years.

Core concept

It brings something to a clear endpoint, either by making hidden information known or by carrying a night through to dawn.

Common phrases

  • 秘密を明かすhi mitsu o a ka su

    reveal a secret

  • 本音を明かすhon ne o a ka su

    reveal one's true feelings

  • 身元を明かすmi moto o a ka su

    reveal one's identity

Similar words

打ち明けるuchiakeru: To tell someone a secret or personal thought openly.
暴露するbakurosuru: To make concealed facts public, often by uncovering wrongdoing.
明らかにするakirakanisuru: To make a fact or situation clear and known.
白状するhakujōsuru: To admit a hidden act or fault, usually when questioned or accused.

Definition in Japanese

隠れていた事実や秘密などを人に知らせる。kaku re te i ta ji jitsu ya hi mitsu na do o hito ni shi ra se ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 明く (aku, "to become clear") underlies 明かす (akasu), which developed the sense of bringing hidden information into the open.

Usage tips

  • The same verb 明かす (akasu) also appears in 夜を明かす (yo o akasu), meaning to spend the night awake, so context distinguishes this sense from "reveal".

Other meanings

  • spendverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word