弁明・辯明・辨明|べんめいbenmei[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
弁明弁明 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it when writing this word.
辯明辯明 is less common than 弁明 and uses an outdated kanji. Choose 弁明 instead when writing this word.
辨明辨明 is less common than 弁明 and uses an outdated kanji. Choose 弁明 instead when writing this word.
Definitions
- suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveexplanation; excuse; clarification; vindication; apology
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 弁明する（べんめいする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 弁明します（べんめいします） |
| Negative (nai) | 弁明しない（べんめいしない） |
| polite (masen) | 弁明しません（べんめいしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 弁明せず・弁明せぬ（べんめいせず・べんめいせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 弁明した（べんめいした） |
| polite (mashita) | 弁明しました（べんめいしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 弁明しなかった（べんめいしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 弁明しませんでした（べんめいしませんでした） |
| Te form | 弁明して（べんめいして） |
| Potential | 弁明できる（べんめいできる） |
| Passive | 弁明される（べんめいされる） |
| Causative | 弁明させる（べんめいさせる） |
| Causative passive | 弁明させられる（べんめいさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 弁明すれば（べんめいすれば） |
| tara | 弁明したら（べんめいしたら） |
| Volitional | 弁明しよう（べんめいしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 弁明しましょう（べんめいしましょう） |
| Imperative | 弁明しろ（べんめいしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym言い訳いいわけNeutralAn excuse for shifting blame; common in everyday speech and negative in tone, as in 「言い訳するな」. 「弁明」 is a formal statement of one's reasons.
- Synonym弁解べんかいNeutralJustifying or excusing oneself, with the focus on talking one's way out of a fault; carries more of a blame-shifting nuance than 「弁明」.
- Synonym釈明しゃくめいWrittenA written, formal word for explaining one's position over a misunderstanding or criticism to win understanding, publicly or privately, as in 「釈明会見」.
- Synonym申し開きもうしひらきNeutralGiving reasons for words or actions that have been called into question, as in 「申し開きができない」; usually in the negative, and not limited to addressing superiors.
- Synonym言い開きいいひらきNeutralDefending or vindicating oneself; more colloquial than 「申し開き」, but little used today.
- Synonym弁疏べんそWrittenMaking a plea in one's defense; an old-fashioned written word, rarely used.
- Synonym陳弁ちんべんWrittenStating one's defense in words; a written word that is rare and rather old-fashioned.
Use 「弁明」 for formally stating your reasons to clear yourself, as in 「弁明の機会」 or 「弁明書」. For clearing up a misunderstanding turn to 「釈明」, for excusing a fault 「弁解」, for a colloquial excuse 「言い訳」, and for answering a challenge 「申し開き」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
