説明をする

Grammar-wise, this is a classic 'Noun + を + する' structure. You take the noun 説明 (explanation), add the object marker を (o), and finish with the verb する (suru), which means 'to do.' In casual speech, you can often drop the を and just say 説明する. It’s like a LEGO set: you can swap the end to change the vibe. Want to be polite? Use 説明をします. Want to ask for an explanation? Go with 説明をしてください. It’s incredibly flexible. You can also add adverbs to describe *how* you are explaining. For example, 詳しく説明をする (kuwashiku setsumei o suru) means to explain in great detail—perfect for when you're explaining your complex 12-step skincare routine to someone who just uses water. Just remember that 説明 is the star of the show here; everything else is just supporting cast.

Imagine you're at a tech startup in Tokyo, and you've just found a bug in the code. You wouldn't just point at the screen and grunt. You would say, バグについて説明をします (I will explain about the bug). Or maybe you're a travel vlogger trying to explain the history of a hidden shrine in Kyoto to your followers. In your video, you might say, この場所の歴史について説明しますね (I'll explain the history of this place, okay?). Even in your DMs, if a friend is confused about why you're suddenly obsessed with a new J-Pop group, you might text back: あとでちゃんと説明をするよ！ (I'll explain it properly later!). It’s also very common in 'how-to' contexts, like YouTube tutorials or recipe blogs. Basically, if there’s a 'How-to' or a 'Why,' there’s a 説明 waiting to happen. Just don't try explaining the ending of *Inception* in Japanese unless you're feeling very brave.

You should reach for this phrase whenever you need to clarify something that isn't immediately obvious. It’s perfect for professional settings, like Zoom meetings or job interviews, where you need to explain your past experience. It’s also great for educational settings—teachers use it constantly. But it’s not just for 'serious' stuff. You can use it when explaining the rules of a new board game to friends or telling your roommate why you ate their leftover pizza (though that might require a very *good* explanation). Use it whenever you want to sound organized and helpful. It tells the listener, 'Hey, I’m going to make this easy for you to understand.' It's the linguistic equivalent of a helpful 'How-to' manual, but hopefully less frustrating to read than IKEA instructions.

Don't use 説明をする for simple statements of fact or casual storytelling. If you’re just telling a friend about your weekend, use 話す (hanasu - to talk/tell). If you’re just passing on a quick piece of news, use 伝える (tsutaeru - to convey). 説明 implies a certain level of complexity. You wouldn't 'explain' that you like apples; you’d just say it. Also, avoid using it when you’re apologizing for something very minor where a simple 'sorry' will do. If you 'explain' why you didn't text back for five minutes, you might end up sounding like you're making excuses rather than just being human. No one needs a technical breakdown of why you were looking at cat memes for three hours instead of doing the dishes. Keep it for the things that actually need clarifying.

The biggest pitfall for English speakers is trying to say 説明を言う (setsumei o iu - to say an explanation). In English, we 'give' or 'provide' an explanation, but in Japanese, you 'do' it. Saying 言う makes it sound like you're literally just reciting the word 'explanation' out loud. Another mistake is confusing it with 紹介をする (shoukai o suru - to introduce). While both involve giving information, 紹介 is for people or new things, while 説明 is for concepts or reasons. Also, be careful with the particle. While 説明する is fine, using the wrong particle like 説明に or 説明から in the wrong place will make you sound like a glitching AI. Stick to を or just drop it, and you'll be golden. And please, don't use it to 'explain' things that are obvious—it can come off as a bit 'mansplain-y' if you aren't careful!

If you want to sound like a pro, try 解説をする (kaisetsu o suru). This is like 説明 on steroids. It’s used for professional analysis, like sports commentary or a deep dive into a political situation. It’s more technical and academic. Then there’s 教える (oshieru), which is often translated as 'to teach' but is used very casually to mean 'tell me' or 'explain to me.' For example, 駅への行き方を教えてください (Please tell/teach me how to get to the station). It’s softer and more common in daily life than the more rigid 説明をする. There’s also 弁明する (benmei suru), which specifically means to give an excuse or a defense—use this one when you're in the doghouse and need to explain yourself fast!

You’ll often see this phrase modified to fit the situation. 説明がつく (setsumei ga tsuku) means 'an explanation can be made' or 'it makes sense.' If something is 説明がつかない (setsumei ga tsukanai), it’s unexplainable—like why socks always disappear in the laundry. Another common one is 説明を求める (setsumei o motomeru), which means to 'demand an explanation.' Use this if you're feeling a bit dramatic or if you're a detective in a J-drama. There's also 説明書 (setsumeisho), which is the word for an instruction manual. If you’re buying electronics in Japan, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your 説明書. Just hope it has pictures!

Is 説明をする too formal for friends? Not at all! While it is a bit more 'proper' than 教える, it's perfectly normal to use with friends when you're talking about something complex, like the rules of a game or a confusing situation at work. It shows you're being helpful. Can I use it for 'excuses'? Yes, but be careful. If you say you're 'explaining' why you're late, it sounds logical. If you just make an excuse, that's more like 言い訳 (iiwake). How do I say 'I don't need an explanation'? You can say 説明はいりません (setsumei wa irimasen). This is a great way to end a boring lecture or a long-winded excuse from a friend who 'forgot' to pay you back. Just be prepared for the awkward silence that follows!