説明します

The Japanese verb 説明します (setsumei shimasu) is a cornerstone of communication, fundamentally meaning 'to explain' or 'to describe.' It is a compound verb consisting of the noun setsumei (explanation) and the auxiliary verb shimasu (to do). At its core, it involves the act of making a concept, a process, or a situation clear to another person. Unlike simply 'telling' (iu) or 'teaching' (oshieru), setsumei shimasu implies a structured delivery of information intended to resolve confusion or provide necessary details. The kanji themselves offer profound insight: 説 (setsu) relates to theory, opinion, or talk, while 明 (mei) means bright, clear, or light. Therefore, to explain is literally to 'bring light to a theory' or 'make talk clear.'

Core Concept

The systematic process of clarifying information so that the listener gains a logical understanding of the subject matter.

In a broader sense, this verb covers everything from a teacher explaining a math problem to a salesperson describing the features of a new smartphone. It is inherently logical and often follows a sequence. When you use setsumei shimasu, you are taking on the responsibility of the 'informant.' It is widely used in professional settings, academic environments, and daily life when instructions are needed. The word carries a nuance of objectivity; you are presenting facts or logic rather than just personal feelings. For instance, if you are explaining why you were late, you are providing the reasons (the 'why' and 'how') to make the situation understandable to your boss.

Etymological Breakdown

説 (Setsu): To speak/persuade + 明 (Mei): Bright/Clear. Combined: To speak until clear.

In Japanese culture, the ability to provide a clear 'setsumei' is highly valued, especially in business. A 'setsumeikai' is an orientation or briefing session, which shows how the noun form is used to describe formal events. Whether you are explaining a map, a rule, or a complex scientific theory, this verb is your primary tool. It bridges the gap between ignorance and knowledge. It is also important to note that this verb is transitive, usually taking the particle 'o' (を) for the object being explained, and 'ni' (に) for the person receiving the explanation. This grammatical structure reinforces the directional flow of information from the speaker to the listener.

Synonym Nuance

Compared to 'oshieru' (to teach), 'setsumei shimasu' focuses more on the logic and details of a specific topic rather than the long-term transfer of a skill.

Using 説明します (setsumei shimasu) correctly requires understanding its grammatical particles and its various forms. As a Group 3 (irregular/suru) verb, it is highly versatile. The most common pattern is [Object] を [Person] に 説明します. For example, 'I explain the plan to the boss' would be 'Joushi ni keikaku o setsumei shimasu.' This clear structure allows for complex sentences where you can specify exactly what is being clarified and to whom. It can also be used with the particle 'nitsuite' (about) to indicate the general topic: 'Kono mondai nitsuite setsumei shimasu' (I will explain about this problem).

Grammar Pattern 1

[Topic] を 説明する (To explain [Topic]). Example: 使い方を説明する (Explain how to use).

In polite Japanese, 'setsumei shimasu' is the standard 'masu' form. In casual conversation, you would use 'setsumei suru.' In highly formal or humble situations, such as when a staff member explains something to a customer, you might hear 'gousetsumei itashimasu.' This uses the honorific prefix 'go-' and the humble verb 'itashimasu' to show deep respect. Conversely, if you are asking someone of higher status to explain something to you, you would use 'setsumei shite kudasai' (Please explain) or more politely, 'setsumei shite itadakemasu ka?' (Could you please explain?).

Conjugation Basics

Present: 説明します | Past: 説明しました | Negative: 説明しません | Te-form: 説明して

Adverbs often accompany this verb to specify the quality of the explanation. 'Kuwashiku' (in detail), 'kantan ni' (simply), 'teinei ni' (politely/carefully), and 'ronriteki ni' (logically) are frequent partners. These adverbs help define the scope and depth of the information being shared. For instance, 'Kantan ni setsumei shimasu' is a great way to start a presentation if you want to give a quick overview before diving into details. Furthermore, the potential form 'setsumei dekimasu' (can explain) is vital for expressing your own capability or asking if someone else is able to clarify a point.

Common Adverbs

詳しく (Kuwashiku - in detail), 簡潔に (Kanketsu ni - briefly), 丁寧に (Teinei ni - thoroughly/carefully).

You will encounter 説明します (setsumei shimasu) in almost every facet of Japanese life, but it is particularly dominant in professional and educational settings. In a Japanese office, the word is used constantly during meetings, reports, and training sessions. When a new employee joins, a senior staff member will 'setsumei' the company rules and workflow. During a product launch, engineers 'setsumei' the technical specifications to the marketing team. If you visit a Japanese electronics store, the staff will often approach you saying, 'Kinou o setsumei shimashou ka?' (Shall I explain the functions?).

Setting: The Office

Presentations, status updates, and delegating tasks all involve 'setsumei'. It is the standard way to convey logical information.

In schools and universities, 'setsumei' is the primary action of a teacher. Textbooks often have sections titled 'Setsumei' where grammar or concepts are clarified. Students are frequently asked to 'setsumei' their reasoning during math or science classes. On the news, anchors use this verb when introducing a complex political situation or a weather pattern, often saying 'Kaisetsusha ga setsumei shimasu' (The commentator will explain). Even in public transport, you might hear announcements like 'Densha ga okureta riyuu o setsumei shimasu' (We will explain the reason the train was delayed).

Setting: Customer Service

Staff at banks, city halls, or hospitals will use this verb to ensure you understand procedures or medical results.

Another common place to hear this is at a 'setsumeikai' (briefing/orientation). For example, a 'kaisha setsumeikai' is a company information session for job seekers. Here, the verb is nominalized, but the action remains the same: providing clarity. In daily life, if you are lost and ask for directions, the person helping you might say, 'Chizu de setsumei shimasu ne' (I'll explain using the map, okay?). It is a helpful, proactive verb that bridges the gap between someone who knows and someone who doesn't. You'll also hear it in legal or official contexts, where 'setsumei-gimu' (the duty to explain) is a formal requirement for certain professions.

Setting: Daily Life

Explaining a recipe to a friend, describing a movie plot, or telling someone how to get to a station.

While 説明します (setsumei shimasu) is straightforward, learners often make subtle errors in nuance or particle usage. One common mistake is confusing it with oshieru (to teach/tell). While they overlap, oshieru is used for teaching a skill or giving a simple piece of information (like a phone number), whereas setsumei shimasu is for clarifying a logical process or reason. You wouldn't 'setsumei' your phone number; you would 'oshieru' it. Conversely, for a complex scientific theory, 'setsumei' is much more appropriate than 'oshieru' if the focus is on the logic rather than the pedagogical relationship.

Mistake 1: Confusing with 'Oshieru'

Incorrect: 電話番号を説明します。(I will explain my phone number.) | Correct: 電話番号を教えます。(I will tell you my phone number.)

Another frequent error involves the particle 'ni'. Some learners forget that the person receiving the explanation must be marked with 'ni'. Without it, the sentence can become confusing or grammatically incomplete. Additionally, learners sometimes use 'setsumei shimasu' when they actually mean 'hanashimasu' (to talk/speak). 'Hanashimasu' is a general term for conversation, while 'setsumei shimasu' is a specific, goal-oriented action. If you are just chatting with a friend about your day, use 'hanashimasu'. If you are explaining why you were late to that same friend, 'setsumei shimasu' works, but might sound a bit formal or defensive.

Mistake 2: Overusing Formality

Using 'setsumei shimasu' in very casual settings can sound stiff. With close friends, 'setsumei suru ne' or just 'iu ne' might be more natural.

A third mistake is related to the noun form. Learners often say 'setsumei o shimasu' (I do an explanation), which is grammatically correct but often redundant. In most cases, 'setsumei shimasu' (the verb form) is preferred for its brevity and natural flow. However, if you add an adjective, you must use the noun form: 'Kuwashii setsumei o shimasu' (I will give a detailed explanation). Finally, be careful with the potential form. 'Setsumei dekimasu' means 'I can explain.' Learners sometimes mistakenly say 'setsumei shimasu dekimasu,' which is a double-verb error. Stick to the 'shimasu' -> 'dekimasu' transformation for suru-verbs.

Mistake 3: Redundancy

Avoid 'setsumei o shimasu' unless you are modifying 'setsumei' with an adjective. 'Setsumei shimasu' is the standard.

To truly master 説明します (setsumei shimasu), you must understand its relationship with similar verbs. The Japanese language has many words for 'telling' or 'explaining,' each with a specific nuance. The most common alternative is 解説する (kaisetsu suru). While 'setsumei' is general, 'kaisetsu' implies a more expert-level commentary or analysis, often seen in sports broadcasts or academic lectures. If 'setsumei' tells you what something is, 'kaisetsu' tells you why it's important or how it fits into a larger context.

Comparison: 解説する (Kaisetsu suru)

Nuance: Expert commentary or analysis. Used by sports commentators or analysts. 'Setsumei' is more for basic facts/instructions.

Another similar word is 描写する (byousha suru), which means 'to describe' in a more artistic or vivid sense. While you 'setsumei' a machine's function, you 'byousha' a beautiful sunset or a character's appearance in a novel. Then there is 述べる (noberu), which means 'to state' or 'to express.' This is much more formal and is often used in writing or formal speeches to present an opinion or a set of facts without necessarily aiming for the 'clarification' that 'setsumei' implies. 'Noberu' is about putting thoughts into words; 'setsumei' is about making those words understood.

Comparison: 述べる (Noberu)

Nuance: To state/express formally. Used in essays or formal speeches. 'Iken o noberu' (to state an opinion).

Finally, consider 教える (oshieru). As mentioned in the mistakes section, 'oshieru' is the most common word for 'to tell' or 'to teach.' It is much broader than 'setsumei.' You 'oshieru' someone your name, but you 'setsumei' the meaning of your name. You 'oshieru' someone how to swim (a skill), but you 'setsumei' the physics of buoyancy (a concept). Understanding these boundaries helps you choose the most natural word for the situation. In business, 'houkoku suru' (to report) is also related, as a report often contains many 'setsumei' (explanations) of what happened and why.

Comparison: 教える (Oshieru)

Nuance: To teach a skill or give simple info. 'Setsumei' is for logical clarification of details.