Translation guide
How to express that something is clearly true or easily seen in Japanese, depending on the degree of certainty, formality, and whether you are stating a fact or showing annoyance.
Stating that something is clearly true based on evidence or common sense.
The most direct and neutral way to say 'obviously'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
明らかに彼は嘘をついている。
He is obviously lying.
Expressing that something should have been obvious to the listener, often with irritation or sarcasm.
Casual and common way to say 'Obviously!' or 'Of course!'. Can sound a bit blunt or annoyed depending on tone.
A: 宿題やった？ B: 当たり前でしょ。
A: Did you do your homework? B: Obviously.
Using 'obviously' to introduce a statement that the speaker assumes the listener already knows or agrees with.
Works as a sentence adverb just like in English. Place at the beginning or before the verb.
明らかに、それは無理だ。
Obviously, that's impossible.
Directly translating 'obviously' as 明らかに in a sarcastic reply (e.g., 'Obviously!') sounds unnatural. Use phrases like 当たり前でしょ or 決まってるでしょ instead.
当たり前でしょ。
Obviously.
明らかに emphasizes that something is evident from observation or facts. 当然 emphasizes that something is logically expected or deserved. Use 明らかに for visual or factual obviousness, and 当然 for moral or logical obviousness.
This answer is obviously wrong.
Literally 'no matter how you look at it', used for emphasis when something is obvious from any perspective. More colloquial.
どう見ても彼の方が上手だ。
He's obviously better, no matter how you look at it.
Means 'naturally' or 'as a matter of course'. Used when the result is expected or logical.
彼が怒るのは当然だ。
It's obvious that he would get angry.
Formal/literary expression meaning 'needless to say' or 'obviously'. Used in writing or formal speech.
言うまでもなく、健康は大切だ。
Obviously, health is important.
Literally 'It's decided, right?', used to mean 'That's obvious' or 'Of course'. Slightly more emphatic than 当たり前.
A: 行くの？ B: 決まってるでしょ。
A: Are you going? B: Obviously.
Literally 'If you look, you'll understand, right?'. Used when the answer is visually obvious. Can sound impatient.
A: これ、壊れてる？ B: 見ればわかるでしょ。
A: Is this broken? B: Obviously, just look at it.
Means 'of course', often used when the following statement is expected or agreed upon. Softer than 明らかに.
もちろん、彼も来るよ。
Obviously, he's coming too.