Translation and Meaning of: 明らか - akiraka

Explanation and Etymology - (明らか) akiraka

The Japanese word 「明らか」 (akiraka) is widely used in the Japanese language and carries the meaning of "clear," "evident," or "obvious." It is composed of two kanji characters: 「明」 which represents "brightness" or "clarity," and 「らか」 which is not a kanji itself, but the ending that gives the adjectival sense to the word. The combination of these elements results in a term that describes something that is easily understood or that leaves no doubts.

The etymology of the word 「明」 traces back to classical Chinese, where it symbolizes the sun and the moon together, forming the idea of light or brightness. This kanji is often associated with ideas of transparency and illumination, not only in the physical sense but also figuratively. When added to the adjectival suffix 「らか」, the expression takes on the meaning of evidence or clarity. This composition is an effective way to express the sharpness of situations, ideas, or feelings in modern Japanese.

In everyday use, 「明らか」 (akiraka) can be applied in various contexts to describe undeniable truths or reveal facts that leave no room for uncertainty. For example, the word can be used to convey the clarity of evidence in an argument or the transparency in a transaction. Furthermore, related words such as 「明示」 (meiji, "to show clearly") or 「明確」 (meikaku, "precise, clear") share the root in the idea of illumination and clarity, demonstrating the richness and flexibility of the Japanese language in expressing nuances of clarity and evidence.