Translation guide
To make something clearer or easier to understand, or to remove confusion. In Japanese, the best expression depends on whether you are clarifying a point, a misunderstanding, a liquid, or a situation.
The speaker wants to explain something more clearly, often in conversation or writing.
The most direct and common way to say 'clarify' in the sense of making a statement, position, or meaning clear. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
もう少しその点を明確にしてください。
Please clarify that point a little more.
He clarified his position.
Very common in spoken Japanese. Implies making something vague or ambiguous clear. Often used when asking someone to clarify.
意味をはっきりさせてください。
Please clarify the meaning.
彼の説明ではっきりした。
His explanation clarified it.
Often used for revealing or making something known that was hidden or unclear. Slightly more formal than はっきりさせる.
真実を明らかにする必要がある。
We need to clarify the truth.
Literally 'add an explanation'. Used when clarifying by providing additional details.
その点について説明を加えていただけますか。
Could you clarify that point? (lit. add an explanation about that point)
The speaker wants to correct a misunderstanding or clear up confusion.
Specifically means 'to clear up a misunderstanding'. Very natural when clarifying a mistaken impression.
誤解を解くために説明します。
I'll explain to clarify the misunderstanding.
彼の言葉で誤解が解けた。
His words clarified the misunderstanding.
Means 'to avoid causing confusion', often used when clarifying to prevent misunderstandings.
混乱を招かないように、はっきり説明してください。
Please explain clearly so as not to cause confusion.
To make a liquid clear by removing impurities.
Used for clarifying liquids like soup stock or butter. Often in cooking contexts.
バターを澄ませてください。
Please clarify the butter.
スープを澄ませる。
Clarify the soup.
Technical term for clarifying liquids, used in chemistry or industrial processes.
溶液を清澄にする。
Clarify the solution.
Both mean 'to clarify', but 明確にする is slightly more formal and often used for abstract concepts or official statements. はっきりさせる is more colloquial and implies making something perceptually clear or unambiguous. In daily conversation, はっきりさせる is very common.
方針を明確にする。
Clarify the policy. (formal)
言いたいことをはっきりさせて。
Clarify what you want to say. (casual)
The English loanword クリア (kuria) means 'clear' as in 'pass an obstacle' or 'transparent', but not 'clarify'. Saying クリアにする to mean 'clarify' would be unnatural.
✕ 問題をクリアにする。
Intended: Clarify the problem. (Unnatural)
先ほどの発言を明確にしたいと思います。
I'd like to clarify my earlier statement.
先生は難しい概念をわかりやすく説明した。
The teacher clarified the difficult concept.
Here 'clarify' is naturally translated as 'explain in an easy-to-understand way'.