How to say "exposition" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 説明せつめいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe all-purpose word for the explanation sense: use it when 'exposition' means a clear account that presents facts, ideas, or how something works. It does not refer to public exhibitions.
- 解説かいせつnoun, suru verb, transitive verbAn explanation delivered as commentary: elucidating a work or topic in depth. Choose it when 'exposition' suggests a guided, explanatory treatment rather than a plain account.
- nounThe loanword for the event sense: a large public exhibition, an expo. Use it only for such events, never for the explanation sense of 'exposition'.
- 講釈こうしゃくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbSeldom the word you want for 'exposition': it really means lecturing on a text or phrase and expounding its meaning to listeners. Its 'exposition' gloss reflects that expounding sense, not explanation in general.
- 博覧会はくらんかいnounThe event sense of 'exposition': a large public exhibition or fair where things are displayed to visitors. Unlike the loanword エキスポ, it also covers exhibitions and fairs generally, and it never means an explanation.
For 'exposition' as an explanation, choose 説明, or 解説 for commentary-style elucidation; for the large public exhibition sense choose 博覧会 or the loanword 「エキスポ」; 講釈 fits only lecture-like expounding of a text.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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