Translation guide
How to express revealing or uncovering something hidden, unknown, or secret in Japanese.
To uncover or expose something that was previously unknown, hidden, or secret, such as a scandal, truth, or evidence.
To expose or disclose something hidden, often with a nuance of revealing wrongdoing or secrets. Commonly used for scandals, lies, or hidden truths.
To find or reveal new facts, evidence, or knowledge through investigation or research.
To make clear or reveal. A versatile phrase for bringing facts, truths, or details to light through explanation or investigation.
調査が真実を明らかにした。
The investigation brought the truth to light.
To bring something into public awareness or make it widely known, such as an issue, artwork, or talent.
To introduce or present something to the world, often used for creative works, ideas, or talents.
彼は自分の作品を世に出した。
He brought his work to light.
The English phrase 'bring to light' is idiomatic. Direct translations like 光に持ってくる are nonsensical. Use the verbs and phrases above depending on context.
Pay attention to whether the subject is doing the revealing (transitive: 暴く, 明るみに出す) or the thing is being revealed on its own (intransitive: 明るみに出る, 発覚する). Japanese often prefers intransitive constructions when the agent is unknown or unimportant.
調査によって汚職が明るみに出た。
The investigation brought the corruption to light.
Intransitive phrasing is natural here.
彼女は長く忘れられていた原稿を世に出した。
She brought to light a long-forgotten manuscript.
Used 世に出した for introducing a creative work.
記者が政治家の汚職を暴いた。
The journalist brought the politician's corruption to light.
彼の秘密を暴くのは簡単ではなかった。
It wasn't easy to bring his secret to light.
Intransitive phrase meaning 'to come to light' or 'to be exposed'. Used when something becomes known without specifying who revealed it.
不正が明るみに出た。
The misconduct was brought to light.
Transitive version of 明るみに出る, meaning 'to bring to light' or 'to expose'. Used when someone actively reveals something.
内部告発が問題を明るみに出した。
The whistleblowing brought the issue to light.
To expose or disclose, often used for revealing secrets, scandals, or confidential information. Can imply a deliberate act of making something public.
彼は会社の不正を暴露した。
He brought the company's wrongdoing to light.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be revealed' or 'to come to light', often used for crimes, secrets, or hidden facts being discovered.
彼の嘘が発覚した。
His lie was brought to light.
The scientist brought new facts to light.
To elucidate or clarify, often used for solving mysteries, puzzles, or scientific questions. Implies thorough investigation.
研究者がその現象を解明した。
The researchers brought the phenomenon to light.
Literally 'to dig up', used metaphorically for unearthing hidden facts, old records, or forgotten stories.
歴史家が埋もれた事実を掘り起こした。
The historian brought buried facts to light.
To make public or official. Used for releasing information, documents, or announcements.
政府は報告書を公にした。
The government brought the report to light.
To release or make available to the public, often for data, records, or events.
博物館が新たな展示を公開した。
The museum brought a new exhibit to light.