How to say "explanation" in Japanese

• 説明せつめいJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe default word for explaining something: making a situation, rule, or idea clear to someone. Covers most everyday senses of 'explanation' and is usually the safest choice.
  私に規則きそくを説明せつめいして下ください。↗

  Please explain the rule to me.
• 解説かいせつJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAn explanatory commentary or exposition, typically by someone knowledgeable laying out background and details, as of a technical topic, a work of art, or a news event.
  彼かれの解説かいせつがわかった人ひとはほとんどいなかった。↗

  Few people understood his comment.
• 解釈かいしゃくJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAn interpretation or reading of something's meaning rather than a plain explanation, such as how one understands a text, a law, or an ambiguous statement.
  それは２通とおりに解釈かいしゃくできる。↗

  That reads two different ways.
• 弁明べんめいCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveAn explanation or clarification offered to account for one's own conduct, often in response to criticism or accusation, with a nuance of defending or vindicating oneself.
  君きみは自分じぶんの不始末ふしまつをどう弁明べんめいするのか。↗

  What account can you give of your misbehavior?
• 弁解べんかいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAn explanation given for one's actions, but leaning toward excuse or justification; it often implies making excuses, so it is seldom neutral for 'explanation'.
  その失策しっさくには弁解べんかいの余地よちがない。↗

  This fault admits of no excuse.

Use 説明 for a plain explanation, 解説 for expert commentary, 解釈 for interpretation of meaning, and 弁明 or 弁解 for explaining or justifying one's own actions, the latter often excusatory.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 説明せつめいexplanation
• 解説かいせつexplanation
• 解釈かいしゃくinterpretation
• 弁明べんめいexplanation
• 弁解べんかいexplanation (e.g. for one's actions)
• 釈明しゃくめいexplanation
• 講釈こうしゃくexplanation (of a text, phrase, etc.)
• 説明文せつめいぶんexplanatory note
• 所説しょせつexplanation
• 疎明そめいexplanation (for purpose of convincing a judge)
• 講説こうせつexplanation (by lecture)
• 叙説じょせつexplanation
• 通釈つうしゃくexplanation
• 通解つうかいexplanation
• 説き明かしときあかしexplanation
• 申し開きもうしひらきexcuse
• 疏そdetailed commentary
• 垂示すいしinstruction
• 言い開きいいひらきexcuse
• 陳弁ちんべんdefense (of oneself)
• 訓解くんかいinterpretation
• 闡明せんめいclarification
• 説示せつじinstructions
• 説述せつじゅつexplaining an idea
• 説明書きせつめいがき(written) explanation
• 言い訳いいわけexplanation
• 絵解きえときexplanation (of an incident, one's reasoning, etc.)
• 解かいexplanation
• 種明かしたねあかしdisclosure of a secret (cause, source, etc.)