Translation guide
The English word "clear" covers many meanings. This guide organizes them by practical use: transparency, obviousness, weather, removing obstacles, passing through, and more. For each, natural Japanese expressions are given.
Describing something you can see through, like glass or water.
The most common word for physical transparency. Used for glass, water, plastic, etc.
This glass is very clear.
Used for clear water, air, or sound. Implies purity and lack of cloudiness.
The clear river water is beautiful.
Emphasizes that light passes through clearly. Often used for liquids, glass, or skin.
It's a clear soup.
Saying that something is easy to understand, or that a meaning is obvious.
The most direct equivalent for 'obvious' or 'evident'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Describing weather with no clouds or fog.
The standard word for clear weather. Used for sunny, cloudless skies.
Removing things that block a path or space, or making something free of obstructions.
Going over or past something without touching it, or having enough space.
Borrowed from English 'clear'. Used for clearing a height, obstacle, or game stage. Common in sports and games.
Showing that someone is not guilty or responsible.
Literally 'clear suspicion'. The standard phrase for proving innocence.
Making a certain amount of money after expenses.
To earn a net profit. Used in business contexts.
Giving official permission or approval.
To approve, authorize. Used for plans, budgets, etc.
The loanword クリア is common in games and sports, but in many other contexts it sounds unnatural. Use the specific Japanese words above instead.
Clear a problem (unnatural)
His lie was clear.
Means 'clear and definite', often used for rules, instructions, or distinctions.
Please give me clear instructions.
A very common casual/neutral word meaning 'clear, distinct'. Can be used for sounds, images, or statements.
I want a clear answer.
It's a clear sky today, isn't it?
Means 'perfectly clear weather', often used in weather forecasts.
It will be clear tomorrow.
To clear away clutter, tidy up. Used for rooms, desks, etc.
Please clear your desk.
To remove obstacles, hazards, or unwanted items. More formal than 片付ける.
We cleared the obstacles from the road.
Literally 'make the way empty'. Used when asking someone to move out of the way.
Excuse me, could you clear the way?
He cleared the 2-meter bar.
To go over or surpass a certain point. Used for mountains, hurdles, etc.
The horse cleared the fence easily.
Describes a gap or clearance appearing. Used when there is enough space to pass.
There was enough clearance for the truck to pass.
He cleared his name.
To prove innocence. More formal, used in legal contexts.
The lawyer cleared him of the charges.
The company cleared 1 million yen.
To net (an amount). Used for personal income after deductions.
I clear 300,000 yen a month.
The boss cleared the plan.
To permit, allow. Often used for entry, use, or actions.
Security cleared him for entry.
Solve a problem
明らか is for obvious facts. 明確 is for clear definitions or criteria. はっきり is for clear perception or expression. They overlap but have different nuances.
A clear mistake
Clear rules
See clearly