Translation guide
How to express that something is very obvious, easy to understand, or unmistakable in Japanese.
Saying that a fact, situation, or meaning is so clear that there is no doubt about it.
A common and neutral way to say something is obvious or clear. Works in both spoken and written Japanese.
It's clear as day that he's lying.
Describing something that is visually or conceptually very easy to perceive or comprehend.
Means 'clear' or 'distinct.' Used for both visual clarity and conceptual clarity. Very common in daily speech.
明らか (あきらか) is the most common and neutral word for 'obvious.' 明白 (めいはく) is more formal and often used in legal, academic, or official statements. In casual conversation, 明らか is preferred.
His success is obvious.
Literally 'one glance and it's clear.' Emphasizes that something is obvious at a single look. Slightly more emphatic than 明らかだ.
The difference is clear as day.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'clearer than seeing fire.' Stronger and more literary, but still used in conversation for emphasis.
It's clear as day that he's the culprit.
Formal and often used in written or official contexts. Means 'obvious' or 'evident.'
His innocence is clear as day.
The explanation is clear as day and easy to understand.
Used for visual clarity, like a sharp outline or vivid image. 'Clear as day' in the sense of being clearly visible.
The mountain ridge is clear as day.
Idiomatic: 'understand as if taking it in one's hand.' Means to understand something perfectly clearly, often used for abstract things like someone's feelings or a situation.
I can understand his feelings clear as day.
The evidence is clear.
The English idiom 'clear as day' does not have a direct word-for-word equivalent in Japanese. Avoid literal translations like 日のように明らか. Use the natural expressions listed above instead.