鮮明

• Reading: せんめい
• Romaji: senmei
• Kanji breakdown: 鮮 (sen) — fresh, vivid; 明 (mei) — bright, clear
• Pronunciation: /seɴ.meː/

Meaning

Vivid; clear; distinct. Describes something strikingly clear and easy to perceive.

A na-adjective meaning sharp, vivid, or unmistakably clear. Used for visual clarity (鮮明な画像 — a vivid image), memories (鮮明に覚えている — to remember vividly), and figuratively for making one's position clear (態度を鮮明にする — to clarify one's stance). Carries a stronger sense of vividness than 明確 (meikaku, clear/definite).

Examples

1. 子供の頃の記憶が今でも鮮明に残っている。 Memories from my childhood are still vividly preserved.
2. 新しいカメラは鮮明な写真が撮れる。 The new camera takes clear, sharp photos.
3. 政府は立場を鮮明にする必要がある。 The government needs to make its position clear.

Usage Guide

Context: photography, memory, politics, news

Tone: descriptive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 鮮 (sen, fresh/vivid) + 明 (mei, bright/clear). The combination of 'fresh' and 'bright' produces the meaning of something strikingly clear and vivid.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal