説(と)く

とく
verb, godan
to preach; to explain; to advocate
1. to explain; to expound
To explain a concept, theory, or teaching in detail, often with the aim of persuading or educating.
仏教(ぶっきょう)の教(おし)えを説(と)く。
To preach the teachings of Buddhism.
先生(せんせい)は歴史(れきし)の意義(いぎ)を熱心(ねっしん)に説(と)いた。
The teacher passionately explained the significance of history.
その本(ほん)は人生(じんせい)の意味(いみ)について深(ふか)く説(と)いている。
That book deeply expounds on the meaning of life.
2. to preach; to advocate
To actively promote or urge others to accept a particular idea, belief, or course of action.
平和(へいわ)の大切(たいせつ)さを説(と)く。
To advocate the importance of peace.
彼(かれ)は周(まわ)りの人(ひと)に節約(せつやく)の必要性(ひつようせい)を説(と)いて回(まわ)った。
He went around urging the people around him about the need for frugality.
環境(かんきょう)保護(ほご)の重要性(じゅうようせい)を多(おお)くの人(ひと)に説(と)いていくことが私(わたし)たちの使命(しめい)だ。
It is our mission to advocate the importance of environmental protection to as many people as possible.

説(と)く is a transitive godan verb. It is distinct from the homophones 解(と)く (to solve, to untie) and 溶(と)く (to dissolve), which use different kanji.

ASPECT (ている):
説(と)いている indicates an ongoing process of teaching, preaching, or advocating.

PARTICLE PATTERNS:

  • Xを説(と)く (expound/preach X)
  • Xに説(と)く (preach to X)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 教(おし)えを説(と)く (preach teachings)
  • 道理(どうり)を説(と)く (explain reason/logic)
  • 必要性(ひつようせい)を説(と)く (advocate necessity)

Often carries a sense of moral or philosophical weight. It appears frequently in religious and philosophical contexts.

general
Added 2026.2.28 16:54
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