判明

• Reading: はんめい
• Romaji: hanmei
• Kanji breakdown: 判 (han) — judge, decide, determine; 明 (mei) — bright, clear, obvious
• Pronunciation: /haɴ.meː/

Meaning

Establishing; proving; ascertaining; confirming. The act of something becoming clearly known or identified.

A noun and suru-verb meaning that something has been clearly established, proven, or identified. Often used in news and investigative contexts. Unlike 分かる (wakaru, to understand), 判明する emphasises the formal or official confirmation of a fact after investigation or examination.

Examples

1. 調査の結果、事故の原因が判明した。 The investigation revealed the cause of the accident.
2. 容疑者の身元が判明するまで時間がかかった。 It took time to confirm the suspect's identity.
3. 新たな事実が判明し、捜査の方向が変わった。 New facts came to light, shifting the direction of the investigation.

Usage Guide

Context: news, investigation, research

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 判 (han, judge/determine) + 明 (mei, clear/bright). Literally 'judged clearly' — when something becomes clearly established through examination.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal