How to say "transparent" in Japanese

• 透明とうめいJLPT N2approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveThe default word for the literal sense of 'transparent': something light passes through so you can see through it, such as water, glass, or plastic. Also covers 'clear' in this physical sense.
  この透明とうめいな液体えきたいには毒どくが含ふくまれている。↗

  This transparent liquid contains poison.
• クリア
  na-adjectiveA loanword meaning 'clear' or 'transparent', typically for physically see-through materials. A less common alternative to 透明; natural when a slightly casual, borrowed-word feel is wanted.
• バレバレ
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers only the figurative sense 'transparent' meaning obvious or easily seen through — a transparent lie or transparent intentions. Colloquial: it means the thing is completely obvious, usually to the speaker's amusement or irritation.
• トランスペアレント
  na-adjectiveA direct loanword of 'transparent'. Rare in ordinary usage; you will mostly meet it in technical or specialised contexts. For everyday speech, 透明 is nearly always the word you want.
• 素通しすどおし
  nounMeans transparent in the sense of plain, clear glass or glasses that you can see straight through. Limited to that physical, see-through-glass context; not a general-purpose word for transparency.

Use 透明 for literal see-through transparency; 「クリア」 for clear surfaces; 「素通し」 for plain see-through glass or glasses; 「バレバレ」 for a transparent lie or obvious intent; 「トランスペアレント」 only as a technical loanword.

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

• 透明とうめいtransparent
• クリアclear
• ばればれobvious (e.g. of a lie)
• トランスペアレントtransparent
• 素通しすどおしtransparent
• 透過的とうかてきtransparent
• 透過的データとうかてきデータtransparent (data)
• 見え見えみえみえobvious
• 白々しいしらじらしいbarefaced (e.g. lie)
• しらこいbarefaced (e.g. lie)
• 子供だましこどもだましtrivial (e.g. scheme)