explain · theory

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are せつ, ぜい, and the kun reading is とく. It has 14 strokes and relates to explaining or advocating an idea.
• Basic usage: 説く is read とく, and 説明 is read せつめい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 説く and 説明
  • 説く means to explain or to advocate. It is a verb read とく for explaining or advocating an idea or its importance to others.
  • 先生は対話を続けることの大切さを生徒に説いた。 means “The teacher explained to the students the importance of continuing the dialogue.”
  • 説明 means explanation. It is a noun read せつめい for an account or act that makes a fact, method, or reason clear.
  • 先生が機械の使い方を分かりやすく説明した。 means “The teacher explained how to use the machine in simple terms.”