Translation guide
This guide covers how to express that something becomes clear, understandable, or evident in Japanese. It focuses on natural expressions for different contexts, from sudden realizations to gradual understanding.
To say that a fact, situation, or meaning becomes clear or understandable.
A common and neutral way to say something becomes clear or evident. Often used for facts or truths coming to light.
The cause became clear.
His innocence became clear.
Very common in spoken Japanese. Means something becomes clear, distinct, or definite. Often used when details or intentions become clear.
After hearing the story, the situation became clear.
It became clear from his attitude.
Same as above, but can also be used in more formal or written contexts.
As a result of the investigation, the truth became clear.
To say that something becomes clear in terms of visibility or sound, like a picture or voice.
Also used for visual or auditory clarity. For example, a blurry image becoming clear, or a muffled sound becoming distinct.
The TV picture became clear.
The radio sound became clear.
Emphasizes sharpness and distinctness, often for outlines, shapes, or colors. More vivid than はっきり.
The outline of the mountain became clear.
To say that the weather or sky clears up.
The standard verb for weather clearing up. Used for skies becoming clear after rain or clouds.
The sky became clear.
The rain stopped and it's clearing up.
To say that a liquid becomes clear or transparent, e.g., water clearing up.
Used for liquids becoming clear and transparent, often with a sense of purity. Also used for sounds becoming clear and pure.
The water is clear.
The river water became clear.
Literally 'become transparent'. More technical or descriptive.
The solution became clear.
To say that a doubt, suspicion, or misunderstanding is cleared up.
Used for doubts, suspicions, or misunderstandings being cleared. Often in the form 疑いが晴れる (suspicion is cleared).
The suspicion was cleared.
Means to feel refreshed or clear-headed after a doubt or worry is resolved. More about the feeling of clarity.
I felt clear after talking about it.
To express that something suddenly becomes clear in your mind, like a realization or epiphany.
The most basic verb for understanding. Often used with adverbs like 突然 or 急に to indicate sudden clarity.
Suddenly, the answer became clear.
An idiomatic expression meaning to have a flash of understanding or to click. Often used when something suddenly makes sense.
It became clear when I heard the explanation.
A slightly old-fashioned or literary expression meaning to understand or to be convinced. Literally 'the point goes'.
His explanation made it clear.
Both mean 'become clear', but はっきりする is more common in everyday speech and covers a wider range (visual, auditory, mental). 明らかになる is slightly more formal and often used for facts or truths becoming evident.
The facts become clear.
The sound becomes clear.
The loanword クリア (kuria) is used mainly for clearing obstacles, passing tests, or in video games. It is not natural for saying a situation or meaning becomes clear. Use はっきりする or 明らかになる instead.
I'm glad the misunderstanding was cleared up.