不明(ふめい)

ふめい
na-adjective, noun
unknown, unclear, unidentified
formalwrittencognition
1. unknown, unclear, unidentified
Not known, not clear, or not yet determined. Used in formal contexts for missing information, unidentified causes, or uncertain facts.
原因(げんいん)は不明(ふめい)だ。
The cause is unknown.
身元(みもと)不明(ふめい)の遺体(いたい)が発見(はっけん)された。
An unidentified body was discovered.
事故(じこ)の詳(くわ)しい状況(じょうきょう)はまだ不明(ふめい)で、警察(けいさつ)が調査(ちょうさ)を続(つづ)けている。
The detailed circumstances of the accident are still unclear, and the police are continuing their investigation.

Usage

Very common in news reports, official documents, and formal writing. Often used in compound expressions and as a suffix.

Forms

不(ふ) (not) + 明(めい) (clear, bright)

Common collocations

  • 原因(げんいん)不明(ふめい): cause unknown
  • 身元(みもと)不明(ふめい): unidentified (person)
  • 行方(ゆくえ)不明(ふめい): missing, whereabouts unknown
  • 意味(いみ)不明(ふめい): incomprehensible, meaning unclear
  • 安否(あんぴ)不明(ふめい): safety unknown

Related Words

Compare: 不特定(ふとくてい) (unspecified)
Related: 判然(はんぜん) (clearly)
general
Added 2026.2.16 10:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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