Translation guide
The concept of clarity in Japanese is expressed through words for clearness, transparency, and understandability, depending on whether you mean visual clarity, clarity of sound, or clarity of thought/expression.
Describing something visually clear, transparent, or sharp, like water, glass, or an image.
Means transparent or clear, often used for liquids, glass, or air. Can also be used metaphorically for honesty or openness.
この水はとても透明だ。
This water is very clear.
透明なガラス
transparent glass
Means vivid, clear, or sharp, often used for images, colors, or memories.
Loanword from English, used for clear sound, image, or conditions. Common in tech and everyday speech.
Means clear and pure, often used for water, air, or sound. Has a poetic nuance.
Describing ideas, explanations, or communication that is clear and easy to understand.
Means clear, definite, or explicit. Used for statements, rules, intentions, etc.
Means clear and lucid, often used for explanations, logic, or writing that is easy to follow.
Literally 'easy to understand'. Very common in everyday speech for anything clear and understandable.
Adverb meaning clearly, distinctly, or plainly. Used with verbs like 言う (say), 見える (see), 分かる (understand).
Means clear, distinct, or articulate. More formal, often used for speech or pronunciation.
Describing sound that is clear, not muffled or distorted.
Used with hearing verbs to mean clearly audible.
ラジオの音がはっきり聞こえない。
I can't hear the radio clearly.
Common for audio quality, as in 'clear sound'.
Expressing that someone has a clear sense of purpose or vision.
A common phrase meaning 'clear vision' in a business or personal context.
彼は明確なビジョンを持っている。
He has a clear vision.
Means 'the purpose is clear'. A natural phrase.
彼女は目的がはっきりしている。
She has a clear purpose.
明確 (meikaku) emphasizes precision and lack of ambiguity. 明快 (meikai) emphasizes lucidity and logical flow. 分かりやすい (wakariyasui) is the most colloquial and simply means 'easy to understand'.
The loanword クリア (kuria) is mainly for visual/audio clarity or clearing a condition (like a game level). It is not used to mean 'clear' in the sense of 'understandable'. Use 明確 or 分かりやすい instead.
水の透明さに驚いた。
The clarity of the water was amazing.
彼女ははっきりと話した。
She spoke with clarity.
明快な答え
a clear answer
彼の講義は明快だ。
His lecture is clear.
この本は分かりやすい。
This book is easy to understand.
もっと分かりやすく説明してください。
Please explain more clearly.
はっきり言ってください。
Please say it clearly.
彼の声がはっきり聞こえる。
I can hear his voice clearly.
明瞭な発音
clear pronunciation
This speaker has clear sound.