明確|めいかくmeikaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjectiveclear; precise; definite; distinct
   この語ごを明確めいかくに定義ていぎできますか。↗

   Can you clearly define this word?

• Synonym明瞭めいりょうWrittenWritten word for clarity in sound, writing, or expression, as in 「発音が明瞭」; 「明確」 is about content being definite and clearly bounded.
• Synonym明晰めいせきWrittenWritten; describes a sharp, lucid mind, thinking, or argument, as in 「明晰な頭脳」; can also mean exceptional intellect — a use 「明確」 lacks.
• Synonym定かさだかNeutralMostly used in the negative 「定かではない」 about whether a memory or the truth is certain; 「明確」 modifies far more, like goals and standards.
• Synonym明らかあきらかNeutralMeans obvious at a glance, as in 「明らかな間違い」; 「明確」 stresses being clearly defined without ambiguity, as in 「明確な目標」.
• Synonym明快めいかいWrittenWritten; praises explanations or logic that are clear and crisp, as in 「明快な解説」; can also describe a cheerful, forthright personality.
• Synonym鮮明せんめいNeutralFor vivid colors, images, and memories, or a clearly drawn stance, as in 「態度を鮮明にする」; centers on vividness of image rather than definition.
• Synonym明白めいはくWrittenWritten; for facts and evidence that are beyond doubt, as in 「明白な事実」「明白な違反」; more assertive in tone than 「明確」.
• Related平明へいめいWrittenWritten; describes writing or explanations that are plain and easy to follow — simplicity, not definiteness; also an old word for daybreak.
• Related自明じめいWrittenWritten; means self-evident, needing no proof, as in 「自明の理」; 「明確」 is about being clearly defined, not necessarily obvious.
• Related明解めいかいWrittenWritten; means a clear, easy-to-follow explanation, mostly in book titles like 「明解国語辞典」; not used for goals or rules.
• Related明示的めいじてきWrittenWritten; means expressly stated in words or writing, the opposite of 「暗黙的」; found mostly in legal and academic texts.
• Related一義的いちぎてきWrittenWritten; means admitting only one interpretation, or being primary; technical term of legal and academic prose, more specialized than 「明確」.
• RelatedクリアCasualColloquial loanword for crisp, transparent sound or picture, as in 「クリアな音質」; also means clearing or passing something, which 「明確」 never does.
• RelatedさやかWrittenArchaic; describes moonlight or sound as limpid and distinct, found in waka and other literary contexts; virtually unused today.
• Antonym曖昧あいまいNeutralAntonym: vague and equivocal, as in 「曖昧な返事」; can also suggest something shady or improper.
• Antonym不明瞭ふめいりょうWrittenAntonym: unclear or indistinct, as in 「責任の所在が不明瞭」; pairs with both 「明瞭」 and 「明確」, and leans written/formal.

Use 「明確」 for goals, rules, or standards that are clearly defined. Reach for 「明らか」 when something is obvious at a glance, 「明瞭」 for clear sound or expression, 「明晰」 for a lucid mind or argument, and 「明快」 for crisp explanations. The rest are narrower: 「明白」 for undeniable facts, 「鮮明」 for vivid images and stances, 「クリア」 in casual talk. Antonyms: 「曖昧」, 「不明瞭」.

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していて、明あきらかで確実かくじつなこと。