明かす

• Reading: あかす
• Romaji: akasu
• Kanji breakdown: 明 (mei/aka) — bright, clear, reveal
• Pronunciation: /a.ka.sɯ/

Meaning

To reveal or disclose (a secret, truth, or identity); to spend or pass (the night). Two distinct but common usages.

A Group 1 (godan) verb. In the sense of disclosure, 明かす is used when someone makes something previously hidden known — such as 秘密を明かす (reveal a secret) or 正体を明かす (reveal one's identity). In the temporal sense, 夜を明かす means to stay up all night or to pass the night doing something. Both senses share the meaning of 'bringing something to light' or 'seeing something through to dawn.'

Examples

1. 彼は長年黙っていた真実をついに明かし、周囲を驚かせた。 He finally revealed the truth he had kept silent about for years, shocking everyone around him.
2. 探偵は事件の全容を明かして、依頼人の疑問を解消した。 The detective revealed the full details of the case and resolved the client's questions.
3. 徹夜で資料を読みながら夜を明かすことが、試験前の習慣だった。 Spending the night reading documents until dawn was a habit before exams.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, daily life, journalism, mystery

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the verb 明く (to brighten, to become clear). The transitive form 明かす carries the sense of actively making something bright or clear, whether illuminating a truth or seeing through the dark night until dawn.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: General