明 Kanji – bright
The Japanese kanji 明 can mean bright, light.
Meaning and Readings
How is 明 read?
明 has the onyomi readings メイ, ミョウ, ミン and the kunyomi readings あかり, あかるい, あかるむ, あからむ, あきらか, あける, -あけ, あく, あくる, あかす.
In romaji, these readings can be written as mei, myou, min, akari, akarui, akarumu, akaramu, akiraka, akeru, ake, aku, akuru, akasu.
Common Japanese Words Using 明
These common Japanese words contain 明. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 明白（めいはく） — obvious, clear, plain, evident, apparent, explicit, overt
- 解明（かいめい） — elucidation, explication, explaining, unravelling, clarification, understanding
- 究明（きゅうめい） — investigation (esp. in academic and scientific contexts), finding out the facts, bringing (a matter) to light, inquiring into
- 賢明（けんめい） — wise, sensible, well-advised, intelligent, sagacious, prudent
- 言明（げんめい） — declaration, statement, assertion
- 光明（こうみょう） — bright light
- 公明（こうめい） — fairness, openness, impartiality
- 行方不明（ゆくえふめい） — missing (of a person), lost, unaccounted for, whereabouts unknown
- 克明（こくめい） — detailed, scrupulous, careful, minute, faithful, elaborate
- 自明（じめい） — self-evident, obvious, axiomatic, self-explanatory, trivial