Japanese word

明確

Pronunciation

Romajimeikaku

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveclear

Example

毎日の目標が明確です。mai nichi no moku hyō ga mei kaku de su

The daily goal is clear.

Illustration for 明確 (clear)

More examples

会議の目的を明確に伝えてください。kai gi no moku teki o mei kaku ni tsuta e te ku da sa i

Please communicate the purpose of the meeting clearly.

Core concept

Describes something whose content, boundaries, or details are sharply defined rather than vague.

Common phrases

  • 明確な目標mei kaku na moku hyō

    clear goal

  • 明確な説明mei kaku na setsu mei

    clear explanation

  • 明確にするmei kaku ni su ru

    make clear

Similar words

具体的gutaiteki: Describes something that includes specific details rather than general or vague information.
明瞭meiryō: Describes something that is easy to understand because its meaning or structure is well defined.
明白meihaku: Describes something that is plainly true or easy to recognize from the facts.

Definition in Japanese

内容や範囲などがはっきりしていて、あいまいさがないさま。nai yō ya han i na do ga ha kki ri shi te i te a i ma i sa ga na i sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 明確 (meikaku) combines 明 (mei, "bright; clear") and 確 (kaku, "certain; firm"), linking clarity with certainty.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 明確 (meikaku) often describes goals, plans, or instructions when the speaker wants to stress that they are specific and easy to understand.

Other meanings

  • definitena-adjective
  • distinctna-adjective
  • precisena-adjective

Opposites

  • 曖昧aimaiambiguousna-adjective
  • 不明確fumeikakuunclearna-adjective

Related words

  • 明確化meikakukaclarificationnoun
  • 明確さmeikakusaclaritynoun

Word lists with this word