Japanese meaning of 明々白々
Reading:
めいめいはくはく (meimei hakuhaku)
English Translation:
Clear and obvious
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Perfectly clear and obvious.
Cultural Context:
Used in legal arguments, investigative reporting, and daily conversation to stress undeniable evidence or facts.
非常に明らかで疑う余地がないこと。
法律論・調査報道・日常会話で、動かぬ証拠や事実を強調する際に使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase for something perfectly clear; often with “な事実.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be mistaken as exaggeration.
Example
Basic Example
彼の嘘は明々白々だ。
His lie is clear and obvious.
Applied Example
「そんなの、好きに決まってるじゃん！」と彼女は明々白々な答えを返した。
Of course I like you! she replied with a clear and obvious answer.