Translation and Meaning of: 説明 - setsumei

The Japanese word 説明[せつめい] is an essential term for anyone learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "explanation" or "clarification," and it appears frequently in everyday situations, from informal conversations to professional settings. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical uses of this word, as well as tips for memorizing it easily.

If you have studied Japanese, you have probably come across 説明[せつめい] in books, animes, or even in real-life situations. It is one of those words that, once understood, opens doors to clearer and more efficient communication. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to help you master like this in a natural and contextualized way.

Meaning and use of 説明[せつめい]

説明[せつめい] is a noun that means "explanation" or "clarification." It is used when someone wants to convey information in detail or make something more understandable. For example, a teacher may provide a 説明[せつめい] about a difficult concept, or an employee may give a 説明[せつめい] about a new procedure at work.

Besides its use as a noun, 説明[せつめい] can also be combined with verbs to form useful expressions. A common example is 説明する[せつめいする], which means "to explain." This flexibility makes the word extremely versatile and applicable in various contexts.

Origin and composition of kanjis

The word 説明[せつめい] is composed of two kanji: 説 and 明. The first, 説, carries meanings such as "theory," "opinion," or "to explain." The second, 明, is associated with "clarity" and "brightness." When combined, these ideograms reinforce the idea of "making something clear through an explanation."

It is worth noting that the structure of these kanjis is not random. The radical 言 (which means "speech") present in 説 reinforces its connection to communication. Meanwhile, 明 is formed by the elements 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), symbolizing the clarity that comes from light. This relationship between the components helps to better understand the meaning behind the word.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to fix 説明[せつめい] is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, think of moments when you needed to give or receive a detailed explanation. This connection with real experiences makes it easier to memorize and use the word naturally.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as "もう一度説明してください" (please explain again) or "説明がわかりやすい" (the explanation is easy to understand). Repeating these constructions out loud or writing them down on flashcards can be very helpful for consolidating learning.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 解説 (kaisetsu) - Explanation, interpretation, analysis.
• 説明書 (setsumeisho) - Instruction manual, explanatory guide.
• 説得 (setsutoku) - Persuasion, convincing.
• 説法 (seppō) - Religious speech, sermon.
• 説明会 (setsumeikai) - Explanation meeting, informational session.
• 説明文 (setsumeibun) - Explanatory text, descriptive material.
• 説明員 (setsumeiin) - Person responsible for the explanation, explainer.
• 説明者 (setsumeisha) - Explainer, someone who provides explanations.