Japanese meaning of 青天白日
Reading:
せいてんはくじつ (seiten hakujitsu)
English Translation:
Being completely cleared of suspicion; pure and upright.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A state of complete innocence or being cleared of suspicion.
Cultural Context:
Originates from Chinese idioms where "blue sky and white sun" symbolize clarity and openness. In Japan, also used in legal or formal declarations of innocence.
完全に潔白であること、疑いが晴れること。
中国の成句に由来し、「青い空と白い太陽」が澄み切った心や真実を象徴する。日本では裁判や公式な場での潔白証明にも用いられる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “となる” or “が明らかになる” to indicate vindication (“青天白日となる”).
• Sometimes appears as part of idiomatic expressions in formal speech.
Trap for English Speakers
Could be mistaken as weather description due to "blue sky" literal meaning.
Example
Basic Example
彼は無罪を証明され、青天白日の身となった。
He was proven innocent and freed, his name cleared completely.
Applied Example
疑いが晴れ、青天白日の気分を味わった。
His name was cleared, and he felt the clarity of a blue sky and bright sun.