明らか|あきらかakiraka[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. na-adjectiveclear; obvious; evident; plain; definite
   その船ふねが沈しずんだのは明あきらかだ。↗

   It is clear that the ship sank.
2. na-adjectivebright; light

• Synonym明瞭めいりょうNeutralClear and easy to make out; mostly describes sounds, writing or expression, as in 「発音が明瞭だ」 or 「簡単明瞭」.
• Synonym明白めいはくNeutralEvidence is conclusive and there is no room for doubt, as in 「明白な事実」; stresses being beyond question more than 「明らか」.
• Synonym明確めいかくNeutralBoundaries or content are clearly defined, as in 「目標を明確にする」; often used for pinning down policies or rules.
• Synonym明晰めいせきWrittenWritten word for a clear, sharp mind or reasoning, as in 「頭脳明晰」; mainly describes logic and thinking.
• Synonym定かさだかNeutralMeans definite or settled, usually in negatives like 「定かではない」; often signals uncertain memory or truth.
• Synonym自明じめいWrittenSelf-evident, needing no proof, as in 「自明の理」; has a logical, academic flavor.
• Synonym分明ふんみょうWrittenWritten word meaning clear-cut; rare in modern Japanese, where 「明らか」 or 「はっきり」 is the normal choice.
• Synonym一目瞭然いちもくりょうぜんNeutralUnderstood at a single glance, as in 「グラフで一目瞭然だ」; stresses that one look is enough.
• Related平明へいめいWrittenWritten word for plain, easy-to-follow writing, as in 「平明な文章」; can also refer to daybreak.
• Related明解めいかいWrittenClear, easy-to-follow explanation; mostly seen in book titles like 「明解国語辞典」; limited to explanations.
• Related簡明かんめいWrittenConcise as well as clear, as in 「簡明に説明する」; the point is brevity, while 「明らか」 is about being beyond doubt.
• Related確かたしかNeutralSure and trustworthy, as in 「確かな情報」; stresses reliability, and as an adverb means 'if I remember rightly'.
• Related鮮明せんめいNeutralVivid colors or images, or a clear-cut stance, as in 「旗幟鮮明」; mostly about visual impressions.
• Related確実かくじつNeutralCertain and dependable, as in 「確実に届く」 or 「確実に進める」; not about being visible or plain to see.
• Related明快めいかいNeutralLogically clear and crisp, as in 「明快な説明」 or 「単純明快」; carries a refreshing, no-nonsense feel.
• RelatedクリアNeutralLoanword for clear or transparent, as in 「クリアな音」; also means clearing a bar or completing a task.
• RelatedさやかWrittenArchaic, poetic word for clear and bright, mostly for moonlight or sounds; seldom used today.
• Antonym不明ふめいNeutralUnclear or unknown, as in 「原因不明」 or 「行方不明」; the direct opposite of 「明らか」.
• Antonym曖昧あいまいNeutralVague or ambiguous, as in 「曖昧な返事」; the opposite of the clear-cut 「明らか」.

Use 「明らか」 for facts that are clear or obvious. Pick 「明白」 for what is beyond doubt, 「明確」 for clearly defined content, 「明瞭」 for clear expression, 「一目瞭然」 for what one glance reveals; the opposite is 「曖昧」.

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

1. 物事ものごとがはっきりとしている様子ようす。自明じめいである様子ようす。
2. 明あかるい様子ようす。