Word
正解
Meaning in Englishcorrect, right answer, solution
Animated kanji stroke order
Sentence
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Word context
What it means
What does 正解 mean? It designates the correct answer in a question, task, or puzzle, i.e., the solution that is true or accepted; in everyday discourse it can refer to the validated interpretation or result in a discussion or test.
Main meanings
- Primary meaning: the correct answer in a test, quiz, exercise, or any problem requiring a choice or solution.
- Nuance: can denote the publicly accepted solution or conclusion in a discussion or reasoning process.
- Related usage: often paired with 不正解 to contrast with the incorrect option or with 答え to mean the answer.
How to use it
Used to refer to the correct answer in exams, quizzes, puzzles, and problem solving; in formal situations like classrooms and tests it's common, while in casual talk it appears in phrases like 正解です, これは正解だ, 正解を選ぶ.
Variants and close terms
- 正答（せいとう）— synonym; formal for an exact answer in tests.
- 当たり（あたり）— casual; means that's right or spot on.
- 回答（かいとう）— answer; not necessarily correct.
- 不正解（ふせいかい）— incorrect.
- 誤り（あやまり）— error.
Composition
- 正: right, correct
- 解: to solve, understand
- 合起来: two-kanji compound meaning the correct answer, the solution that is correct
Etymology
正 meaning right, correct; sei on'yomi; 解 meaning to solve, understand; kai on'yomi; when combined they form 正解 meaning the correct answer.
Word class
Noun (名詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N1
解除
kaijo
cancellation, release, cancel
N1
解剖
kaibou
dissection, autopsy
N1
正義
seigi
justice, right, righteousness
N1
正常
seijou
normalcy, normality, normal
N1
正当
seitou
just, due, proper
N1
是正
zesei
correction, revision
N1
訂正
teisei
correction, revision
N1
弁解
benkai
explanation, justification, excuse
N1
了解
ryoukai
comprehension, consent, understanding
Kanji