Comparing "jieshi" and "shuoming"

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Both 解释 and 说明 mean to explain or clarify and sometimes can be used interchangeably. Both can be used in informal and formal settings. A key difference between these two words is 说明 can also be used to mean to prove.

解释 (jiěshì) 说明 (shuōmíng)
Meaningto explain, to clarify to explain, to clarify, to prove
Part of Speechverbverb and noun
Formalityflexibleflexible

To say to explain or to clarify both 解释 and 说明 can be used

Common Phrases

  • 请~一下

To say to prove only 说明 can be used.

Sometimes 解释 is used in fixed patterns that cannot be substituted.

Fixed Patterns

  • 解释清楚
  • 解释明白

Sometimes 说明 is used in fixed patterns that cannot be substituted.

Fixed Patterns

  • 说明情况
  • 说明历史
  • 说明书

Only 说明 can be used as a noun to mean “explaination”

Example sentences

  • 你有没有什么说明?