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天下晴れて (てんかはれて) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
adverb
openly ; publicly ; without shame
Used when someone can do something openly and without fear of criticism, because it is right, proper, or legal. Often implies a sense of vindication or legitimacy.
Behave openly and with dignity.
Similar words 公こう 然ぜん と 公然と also means 'openly' or 'publicly', but it is more neutral and does not carry the nuance of moral or legal justification that 天下晴れて implies.
大おお 手で を 振ふ って 大手を振って means 'boldly' or 'without hesitation', often in a physical sense of walking proudly. 天下晴れて is more about being able to do something openly because it is right or legal.
Etymology 天下 (てんか, 'the world' or 'under heaven') + 晴れて (はれて, the -te form of 晴れる, 'to clear up'). Literally 'the world having cleared up', suggesting that clouds of suspicion or illegality have lifted, allowing one to act openly.