説せつ明めい書しょ

せ

つ

め

い

しょ

Common word

Meanings

1

noun

instructions; manual; explanatory leaflet

Refers to a printed document that explains how to use a product, assemble something, or follow a procedure. Often a booklet or sheet included with appliances, medicine, or software.

新あたらしいプリンターの説せつ明めい書しょを読

よ

ん

で

ください

。

Please read the instruction manual for the new printer.

薬くすりの説せつ明めい書しょには副ふく作さ用ようが書かいてあります。

The drug's explanatory leaflet lists the side effects.

Usage patterns

説せつ明めい書しょを読よむto read the instructions/manual
使つかう前まえに説せつ明めい書しょをよく読よんでください。
Please read the instructions carefully before use.
説せつ明めい書しょに従したがうto follow the instructions
説せつ明めい書しょに従したがって組くみ立たてました。
I assembled it by following the instructions.
説せつ明めい書しょ通どおりに〈動どう詞し〉to do something exactly as the instructions say
説せつ明めい書しょ通どおりに操そう作さしてください。
Please operate it exactly as described in the instructions.
説せつ明めい書しょを参さん照しょうするto refer to the manual
詳くわしくは説せつ明めい書しょを参さん照しょうしてください。
Please refer to the manual for details.

Kanji

説opinion, theory, explanation
明bright, light
書write

Related words

取とり扱あつかい説せつ明めい書しょ
取扱説明書 is the fuller, more formal term for operating instructions (often for appliances), while 説明書 is the shorter, everyday word for any instruction sheet or manual.
マニュアル
マニュアル is a loanword typically used for technical, software, or procedural manuals, while 説明書 is the native term covering any printed instructions, including simple leaflets.
手て引びきN1
手引き suggests a friendlier, guiding handbook (often for beginners), whereas 説明書 is the neutral term for any instructional document.
解かい説せつ書しょ
解説書 emphasizes detailed explanation or commentary (e.g. for a subject or work), while 説明書 focuses on practical how-to instructions for using something.
チュートリアル
説明書 is a written instruction manual for a product, whereas チュートリアル is usually an interactive, guided lesson within software or a game.

Don't confuse with

証しょう明めい書しょN3
証明書 (a certificate proving a fact, like a diploma) looks similar to 説明書 (an instruction manual) but has an entirely different function.

Counted with

冊さつN1
For bound volumes — books, magazines, notebooks.
枚まいN3
If referring to a single leaflet/sheet rather than a bound manual, 枚 is also natural.

Word family

取とり扱あつかい説せつ明めい書しょ
user's manual; instruction manual; operation manual
プログラム保ほ守しゅ説せつ明めい書しょ
program maintenance manual

Built from

説せつ明めい+書しょ

Etymology

Compound of 説明 (setsumei, 'explanation') and 書 (sho, 'document'). The reading is standard on'yomi.