Refers to literal brightness or light, often contrasted with 暗 (darkness).
Antonyms: 暗
The contrast between light and dark is beautiful.
discernment; insight; an eye for
Used for keen perception or judgment, often in phrases like 明がある (have an eye for).
He has an eye for art.
nth year of Meiji
Abbreviation of 明治 (Meiji era); used as a prefix to indicate a year in that period, e.g., 明10年 (Meiji 10).
See also: 明治
He has a good eye for antiques.
He lost his eyesight in an accident.
This school was founded in Meiji 10 (1877).
明 is a classical, literary term for eyesight used mainly in set phrases like 明を失う, whereas 視力 is the standard modern word for visual acuity.
The kanji 明 combines 日 (sun) and 月 (moon) to represent brightness. The reading めい is the on'yomi, used in compounds and formal contexts.
elucidation; clarification; explanation
clearly state; specify; write clearly
obvious; clear; evident
explicit statement; specification; clear indication
wise; sensible; prudent
vivid; clear; distinct
declare; state clearly
daybreak; dawn; gray of the morning · dawn of a new age; beginning
details; particulars; specifics; breakdown · detailed; minute; specific · detailed statement; itemized statement
thorough investigation; inquiry; getting to the bottom of
early dawn; grey of morning
clear; plain; distinct; obvious; evident; articulate
explanation; justification; vindication
fairness; openness; impartiality · Komeito (political party)
explanation; vindication
loss of eyesight; blindness
clear; lucid; unequivocal
clear; distinct; lucid
sagacity; wisdom; intelligence
self-evident; obvious; axiomatic; trivial
intelligent; wise; brilliant