Meaning and Usage
"不明" (ふめい) means "unknown" or "unclear." It is often used in formal or written contexts to describe something that is not yet identified or understood, such as causes, identities, or facts.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "不明" in news reports, official documents, or scientific discussions where information is incomplete or ambiguous.
Collocations and Patterns
- 不明な点 (ふめいなてん): unclear points or issues, often used when asking for clarification.
- 不明の原因 (ふめいのげんいん): unknown cause, common in accident or problem reports.
- 身元不明 (みもとふめい): unidentified identity, often used in police or emergency contexts.
Register and Nuance
"不明" is neutral to formal and is rarely used in casual conversation. It conveys a factual state of uncertainty without emotional tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "不明" with "不明瞭" (ふめいりょう), which means "unclear" or "obscure" in a more subjective sense. "不明" is more objective, indicating something literally unknown or not identified.