The Meaning of seikai [正解] In Japanese
正解
せいかい
Romaji: seikai
N4
What does 正解 mean?
Translation and Meaning
correct answer, right answer, solution
Definition
What does 正解 mean? It designates the correct answer in a question, task, or puzzle, i.e., the solution that is true or accepted; in everyday discourse it can refer to the validated interpretation or result in a discussion or test.
Type
Noun (名詞)
Stroke Order
Meanings
- Primary meaning: the correct answer in a test, quiz, exercise, or any problem requiring a choice or solution.
- Nuance: can denote the publicly accepted solution or conclusion in a discussion or reasoning process.
- Related usage: often paired with 不正解 to contrast with the incorrect option or with 答え to mean the answer.
Etymology
正 meaning right, correct; sei on’yomi; 解 meaning to solve, understand; kai on’yomi; when combined they form 正解 meaning the correct answer.
Composition
- 正: right, correct
- 解: to solve, understand
- 合起来: two-kanji compound meaning the correct answer, the solution that is correct
Usage
Used to refer to the correct answer in exams, quizzes, puzzles, and problem solving; in formal situations like classrooms and tests it’s common, while in casual talk it appears in phrases like 正解です, これは正解だ, 正解を選ぶ.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: picture a lock and the key labeled 正 that truly unlocks by turning into 解; that moment you have the 正解.
Variations
- 正答（せいとう）— synonym; formal for an exact answer in tests.
- 当たり（あたり）— casual; means that’s right or spot on.
- 回答（かいとう）— answer; not necessarily correct.
- 不正解（ふせいかい）— incorrect.
- 誤り（あやまり）— error.
Example Phrases
-
テストの正解を友人に説明する。Tesuto no seikai o yūjin ni setsumei suru.I explain the correct answer to a friend.Lista:
- テスト (tesuto) – test
- 正解 (seikai) – correct answer
- 友人 (yūjin) – friend
- 説明する (setsumei suru) – to explain
- の (no) – of
- を (o) – (object marker)
- に (ni) – to
Here 「正解」 is a noun meaning ‘the correct answer’ and functions as the direct object of 説明する with the particle を.
