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Kotomora

明

bright, light

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 100Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • メイ
  • ミョウ
  • ミン

Kun'yomi

  • あ.かり
  • あか.るい
  • あか.るむ
  • あか.らむ
  • あき.らか
  • あ.ける
  • -あ.け
  • あ.く
  • あ.くる
  • あ.かす

Nanori

  • あきら
  • あけ
  • あす
  • きら

Meaning

明 centers on clear light: something bright, visible, or illuminated. Its common abstract uses grow naturally from that same idea of clarity.

Most common words using 明

24 of 675
  • 説明せつめい
    N5

    explanation; exposition; description; account; caption; legend

  • 明日あした
    N5

    tomorrow

  • 不明ふめい
    N2

    unclear; obscure; indistinct; uncertain; ambiguous

  • 明らかあきらか
    N3

    clear; obvious; evident; plain; definite

  • 証明しょうめい
    N3

    proof; testimony; demonstration; verification; certification

  • 明るいあかるい
    N5

    light; bright; well-lit; well-lighted

  • 明確めいかく
    N3

    clear; precise; definite; distinct

  • 明治めいじ
    N1

    Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)

  • 判明はんめい
    N1

    establishing; proving; ascertaining; identifying; confirming

  • 文明ぶんめい
    N3

    civilization; civilisation; culture

  • 透明とうめい
    N2

    transparent; clear

  • 発明はつめい
    N3

    invention

  • 表明ひょうめい

    declaration; indication; representation; manifestation; demonstration; expression; announcement; assertion

  • 照明しょうめい
    N1

    illumination; lighting

  • 声明せいめい
    N1

    declaration; statement; proclamation

  • 解明かいめい

    elucidation; explication; explaining; unravelling; clarification; understanding

  • 明かりあかり
    N2

    light; glow; gleam

  • 明かすあかす
    N1

    to pass (the night); to spend

  • 明記めいき
    N1

    clear writing; specification

  • 夜明けよあけ
    N3

    dawn; daybreak

  • 明白めいはく
    N1

    obvious; clear; plain; evident; apparent; explicit; overt

  • 公明党こうめいとう

    Komeito (Japanese political party)

  • 明示めいじ

    elucidation; explicit statement; specification

  • 明後日あさって
    N5

    day after tomorrow

Explore all words using 明 →

Study

Etymology

明 combines 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), two sources of light, to express brightness or illumination.

Meaning mnemonic

The sun 日 and moon 月 appear together, filling the scene with light. When both lights are out, everything is bright and clear.

Reading mnemonic

For メイ, imagine a bright May morning when sun and moonlight make everything clear: May -> メイ.