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自明 (じめい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
self-evident ; obvious ; axiomatic ; trivial
Means that something is clear without needing further proof or explanation. More written and logical-sounding than everyday words like 当たり前; in mathematical or technical contexts it can correspond to 'trivial' or 'immediate from the definitions.'
This is treated as a self-evident truth.
Similar words 明あき らか A broader word for 'clear' or 'evident'; less strongly implies that no proof or explanation is needed.
当とう 然ぜん Means 'natural,' 'reasonable,' or 'of course'; it often expresses expectedness or moral/logical appropriateness rather than self-evidence.
当あ たり 前まえ Everyday and more conversational for 'obvious' or 'normal'; 自明 sounds more formal and logical.
Etymology A Sino-Japanese compound written with 自, 'self,' and 明, 'clear/bright'; the spelling transparently suggests something being clear in itself. This is a component explanation rather than a precise historical derivation.
