Japanese word

透明

Pronunciation

Romajitōmei

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveclear

Example

この水は透明です。ko no mizu wa tō mei de su

This water is clear.

Illustration for 透明 (clear)

More examples

この容器は中身が見えるほど透明です。ko no yō ki wa naka mi ga mi e ru ho do tō mei de su

This container is so clear that you can see what is inside.

Core concept

Describes something that lets light pass through so that what lies behind it can be seen clearly.

Common phrases

  • 透明なボトルtō mei na bo to ru

    clear bottle

  • 透明にするtō mei ni su ru

    make clear

Similar words

クリアkuria: Describes a material or liquid that looks clear and does not block the view behind it.

Definition in Japanese

光や視線を通し、向こう側がはっきり見えるさま。hikari ya shi sen o tō shi mu kō gawa ga ha kki ri mi e ru sa ma

Word origin

透明 (tōmei, "clear") combines 透 (tō, "pass through") and 明 (mei, "bright"), expressing a state in which light passes through and the view remains bright.

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, clear is common for water, while transparent often describes materials or figurative openness.

Other meanings

  • transparentna-adjective

Opposites

  • 不透明futōmeiopaquena-adjective

Related words

  • 透明性tōmeiseitransparencynoun
  • 透明感tōmeikansense of transparencynoun

Word lists with this word