1.
plain; clear; easy to understand; lucid
Describing language, writing, or expression that is straightforward and free of complexity or pretension.
平明な文章を心がけている。
I try to write in a plain, clear style.
彼の説明は平明で分かりやすい。
His explanations are lucid and easy to understand.
難しい専門用語を避け、平明な言葉で書かれた入門書だ。
It's an introductory book written in plain language, avoiding difficult technical terms.
Combines 平 (flat, plain) and 明 (bright, clear). Describes language or expression that is clear, easy to follow, and free from unnecessary complexity. Used almost exclusively in written and literary contexts to evaluate the quality of writing or speech.
USAGE:
- Almost always used to describe language, writing, or explanations — not physical objects
- A positive quality — implies clarity and accessibility without being simplistic
- Common in literary criticism, book reviews, and discussions of writing style
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 平明な文章: clear, plain writing
- 平明な言葉: plain language
- 平明な表現: clear expression
- 平明な文体: a lucid writing style
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 明快: clear, lucid — similar but slightly stronger emphasis on logical clarity
- 平易: plain, easy — very close synonym; emphasizes ease of understanding
- 簡潔: concise — focuses on brevity rather than clarity
- 分かりやすい: easy to understand — more conversational; broader usage