顕在的(けんざいてき)

Compound of 顕在(けんざい) ('being manifest; being surfaced') plus the suffix 的(てき) ('-ic; pertaining to'). A written, analytical term that describes phenomena, needs, or problems that have become visible or observable, as opposed to those that remain hidden or potential.

Usage

• Most often paired in contrast with 潜在的(せんざいてき) ('latent; potential; underlying'). Marketing, sociology, economics, and psychology writing frequently contrast 潜在的(せんざいてき)ニーズ ('latent needs') with 顕在的(けんざいてき)ニーズ ('manifest needs').
• Rare in casual conversation. Prefer はっきりした or 明(あき)らかな in everyday speech.
• Can modify a noun attributively (顕在的(けんざいてき)な問題(もんだい)) or serve as an adverbial (e.g., 顕在的(けんざいてき)に表(あらわ)れる 'to appear manifestly').

Common collocations

• 顕在的(けんざいてき)なニーズ: manifest needs (vs. latent needs)
• 顕在的(けんざいてき)な問題(もんだい): surfaced/overt problems
• 顕在的(けんざいてき)な需要(じゅよう): explicit demand
• 顕在的(けんざいてき)に現(あらわ)れる: to appear in manifest form

Similar words

• 潜在的(せんざいてき): latent; potential — the direct antonym.
• 明示的(めいじてき): explicit; spelled-out — emphasizes that something has been clearly stated rather than implied.
• 明(あき)らか: clear; obvious — more general, everyday adjective.
• 表面化(ひょうめんか)した: having come to the surface — verbal equivalent emphasizing the process of becoming visible.