釈明

• 読み: しゃくめい
• ローマ字: shakumei
• 漢字の分解: 釈 (shaku) — explain, interpret, release; 明 (mei) — clear, bright
• 発音: /ɕa.kɯ.meː/

意味

Explanation; vindication. A formal statement clarifying or defending one's actions or position.

A noun and suru-verb used when someone provides an explanation to clear up misunderstandings or justify their behaviour. More formal and defensive in tone than 説明 (setsumei, explanation) — 釈明 implies that the speaker is under suspicion or criticism and needs to defend themselves. Common collocations include 釈明する (to explain/vindicate), 釈明会見 (explanatory press conference), and 釈明に追われる (to be pressured to explain oneself).

例文

1. 政治家は不正疑惑について釈明を求められた。
2. 遅刻の理由を釈明したが、上司は納得しなかった。
3. 会社は記者会見で事故の原因を釈明した。

使い方ガイド

場面: politics, business, media

トーン: serious

起源と歴史

From Sino-Japanese: 釈 (shaku, explain/interpret/release) + 明 (mei, clear/bright). Literally 'to explain clearly' — the kanji 釈 carries the nuance of unravelling or releasing something from obscurity.

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Professional