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.
このガラスはとても透明です。
This glass is very clear.
Used for clear water, air, or sound. Implies purity and lack of cloudiness.
澄んだ川の水がきれいだ。
The clear river water is beautiful.
Emphasizes that light passes through clearly. Often used for liquids, glass, or skin.
透き通ったスープです。
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.
彼の嘘は明らかだった。
His lie was clear.
Means 'clear and definite', often used for rules, instructions, or distinctions.
Describing weather with no clouds or fog.
The standard word for clear weather. Used for sunny, cloudless skies.
今日は晴れた空ですね。
It's a clear sky today, isn't it?
Means 'perfectly clear weather', often used in weather forecasts.
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.
彼は2メートルのバーをクリアした。
He cleared the 2-meter bar.
Showing that someone is not guilty or responsible.
Literally 'clear suspicion'. The standard phrase for proving innocence.
彼は容疑を晴らした。
He cleared his name.
Making a certain amount of money after expenses.
To earn a net profit. Used in business contexts.
会社は100万円の純益を得た。
The company cleared 1 million yen.
Giving official permission or approval.
To approve, authorize. Used for plans, budgets, etc.
上司が計画を承認した。
The boss cleared the plan.
To permit, allow. Often used for entry, use, or actions.
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.
× 問題をクリアする
Clear a problem (unnatural)
○ 問題を解決する
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.
明確な指示をください。
Please give me clear instructions.
A very common casual/neutral word meaning 'clear, distinct'. Can be used for sounds, images, or statements.
はっきりした答えが欲しい。
I want a clear answer.
明日は快晴でしょう。
It will be clear tomorrow.
To clear away clutter, tidy up. Used for rooms, desks, etc.
机の上を片付けてください。
Please clear your desk.
To remove obstacles, hazards, or unwanted items. More formal than 片付ける.
道路の障害物を取り除いた。
We cleared the obstacles from the road.
Literally 'make the way empty'. Used when asking someone to move out of the way.
すみません、道を空けてもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you clear the way?
To go over or surpass a certain point. Used for mountains, hurdles, etc.
その馬は柵を軽々と越えた。
The horse cleared the fence easily.
Describes a gap or clearance appearing. Used when there is enough space to pass.
トラックが通れるだけの隙間ができた。
There was enough clearance for the truck to pass.
To prove innocence. More formal, used in legal contexts.
弁護士は彼の無罪を証明した。
The lawyer cleared him of the charges.
To net (an amount). Used for personal income after deductions.
手取りで月30万円になります。
I clear 300,000 yen a month.
セキュリティが彼の入場を許可した。
Security cleared him for entry.
A clear mistake
明確なルール (clear rules)
Clear rules
はっきり見える (see clearly)
See clearly
A clear mistake
明確なルール (clear rules)
Clear rules
はっきり見える (see clearly)
See clearly