How to say "reveal" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 打ち明けるうちあけるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers revealing something private—one's feelings, worries, or a secret—by confiding it to someone trusted. The nuance is opening up voluntarily, so it suits heartfelt disclosure rather than exposing facts.
- godan verb, transitive verbReveals or exposes a secret, but colloquially and often with a careless or betraying nuance, like letting a secret slip or spilling it. Avoid it for sincere, deliberate disclosure; it can sound like blabbing.
- 出すだすgodan verb, transitive verbMatched to 'reveal' only through the broad sense of putting something out or showing it. For most secret-revealing senses this is seldom the word you want; think of it primarily as 'put out, take out, show'.
- 表すあらわすgodan verb, transitive verbCovers revealing in the sense of showing or displaying something outwardly—expressing feelings, qualities, or meaning so they become visible. It is not about disclosing secrets but about expression and representation.
- 明かすあかすgodan verb, transitive verbThe straightforward word for revealing or divulging secrets, facts, or plans—making hidden things known. It fits both deliberate disclosure and revealing the truth, and is a safe choice for most 'reveal a secret' contexts.
For revealing secrets or feelings use 「打ち明ける」 (confide), 「明かす」 (divulge), or colloquial 「ばらす」 (blab); 「表す」 is for outward expression, and 「出す」 usually means simply putting something out rather than revealing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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