文 脈(ぶんみゃく)

ぶんみゃく

noun

context

1. context, textual context

The surrounding text or situation that gives meaning to a particular word, phrase, or passage. Also used more broadly for the background circumstances that frame a discussion or event.

文脈(ぶんみゃく)から意味(いみ)を推測(すいそく)する。

I infer the meaning from context.

この言葉(ことば)は文脈(ぶんみゃく)によって意味(いみ)が変(か)わる。

The meaning of this word changes depending on the context.

歴史的(れきしてき)な文脈(ぶんみゃく)を理解(りかい)しないと、この作品(さくひん)の真意(しんい)は読(よ)み取(と)れない。

Without understanding the historical context, you cannot grasp the true meaning of this work.

Usage

文脈(ぶんみゃく) literally combines 文(ぶん) (text) and 脈(みゃく) (vein/flow), suggesting the flow or thread running through a text. While originally a linguistic term, it is now widely used in everyday speech for any kind of context — historical, social, or conversational.

Common collocations

文脈(ぶんみゃく)から判断(はんだん)する: to judge from context
文脈(ぶんみゃく)を読(よ)む: to read the context
文脈(ぶんみゃく)に沿(そ)って: in line with the context
歴史的(れきしてき)文脈(ぶんみゃく): historical context

Similar words

コンテキスト: context (loanword, often used in IT/technical fields)
前後(ぜんご)関係(かんけい): surrounding context (more literal)
背景(はいけい): background (broader, not necessarily textual)

Related Words

Compare: 背景(はいけい) (background)

general

Added 2026.2.22 15:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

12500/12723_bunmyaku