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How to Say ‘To explain’ in Japanese

説明する

setsumei suru

[setsu-may soo-roo]

💬 Usage Tip: [説明する] is a “する-verb.” Conjugates like [説明します] (polite) / [説明した] (past).

🇯🇵 In Japan: In workplaces, you’ll hear [ご説明します] or [ご説明いたします] as extra-polite “We will explain.”

Phrase Breakdown

説明

setsumei

[setsu-may]

explanation / description

名詞「説明(せつめい)」= explanation. 「説明する」で動詞化して「to explain」になります。

Example

もう少し説明を聞きたいです。

I want to hear a bit more explanation.

する

suru

[soo-roo]

to do

動詞「する」= to do. 名詞+する で「勉強する」「説明する」など多くの動詞を作れます。

Example

あとで説明するね。

I’ll explain later, okay?

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