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.
The journalist brought the politician's corruption to light.
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.
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.
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.
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.
His lie was brought to light.
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.
The investigation brought the truth 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.
The researchers brought the phenomenon to light.
Literally 'to dig up', used metaphorically for unearthing hidden facts, old records, or forgotten stories.
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.
He brought his work to light.
To make public or official. Used for releasing information, documents, or announcements.
To release or make available to the public, often for data, records, or events.
The museum brought a new exhibit 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.
The investigation brought the corruption to light.
Intransitive phrasing is natural here.
She brought to light a long-forgotten manuscript.
Used 世に出した for introducing a creative work.
The historian brought buried facts to light.
The government brought the report to light.