Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 明らかに | akiraka ni | |
| 当たり前 | Atarimae! | [a̠ta̠ɾʲima̠e̞] (narrow) |
Japanese uses different words for 'obviously' depending on whether you are describing a visible fact or an expected outcome. 明らかに is used to describe a fact that is clearly visible or perceptible to the senses. 当たり前 is used to express that something is a matter of course or should be taken for granted. Additionally, 当たり前 can be used as a noun or a na-adjective to mean that something is natural or expected.
Which one should you use?
Use 明らかに when you want to say something is clearly visible or perceptible to the senses. Use 当たり前 when you want to say something is a matter of course or should be taken for granted.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you might use 明白に to mean 'clearly' or 'obviously' or 当然 to mean 'naturally' or 'as a matter, of course'. You can also use the phrase 言うまでもない to mean 'goes without saying' or 'needless to say'. In casual settings, the phrase 当たり前だろ can be used as a blunt, informal way to say 'obviously' often used by males.
How does it change in a sentence?
明らかに is the adverbial form of the na-adjective 明らか (akiraka).
How do you pronounce it?
akiraka ni
Did you know?
- The word 当たり前 literally describes a situation where a target hits the center of a mark. It evolved from a target-shooting metaphor to describe something that is 'spot on' or exactly as expected.
- The word 明らか shares a root with the word for 'bright' or 'clear' light. To the Japanese mind, something 'obvious' is figuratively 'illuminated' so that it can be seen.
- If you use 明らかに (akiraka ni) to describe a person's feelings, it can sound like you are observing them as a specimen under a microscope rather than empathizing with them.
Examples in context
- 当たり前だろ。Obviously.This sentence shows a blunt, informal use of 当たり前.Tatoeba #124116 by tommy_san, translation #279879 by shanghainese
- 明らかに上の空よね。Your mind is obviously elsewhere.This sentence shows how to use 明らかに.Tatoeba #11977687 by small_snow, translation #7112178 by CM
- 明らかに誰かが嘘をついている。Someone is obviously telling a lie.Tatoeba #80721 by bunbuku, translation #322994 by CK
- 彼は当然のこととしてそれを知っている。He obviously knows that as a matter of course.
- この計画は成功すると言うまでもない。It goes without saying that this plan will succeed.
- もちろん彼女はそのことを知っているよ。Obviously, she knows about it.
- 彼は当然それをやるだろう。Obviously, he will do it.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young man and woman are looking at a broken toy on the floor.
- 陽太 Yotaこれは明らかに壊れているね。Kore wa akiraka ni kowarete iru ne.This is obviously broken.
- 結衣 Yui本当に、陽太君の言う通りだわ。Hontou ni, Youta-kun no iu toori da wa.Really, it's exactly as you say, Youta.
- 陽太 Yota直せるかな？Naoseru kana?I wonder if it can be fixed?
- 結衣 Yuiこれは明らかに無理そうよ。Kore wa akiraka ni muri sou yo.This is obviously impossible.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “obviously” translations and entries 当たり前, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
