Correct
说明 vs 解释
/ shuōmíng vs jiěshì /
Strokes
Definition
说明 is a Verb or a Noun, and 解释 is a Verb, which means [to explain; to illustrate; to interpret; explanation].
Example
说明 means "just to explain clearly", while 解释 sometimes means "to explain a knotty problem or even to defend oneself". Besides, they are of different parts of speech.
1) In the four examples, 说明 and 解释 are not interchangeable;
2) 说明来意, 说明问题, 解释误会，解释明白 are all somewhat set phrases. (解释来意 can also be said, but is used in rather difficult cases);
3) 说明 and 解释 both words can be used at the same time, such as 这种解释很能说明问题 (the explanation can prove a lot);
4) Since 明 in 说明 and 明白, 清楚 in 解释明白, 解释清楚 are very similar in meaning, 说明 and 解释 in 解释明白 are not interchangeable.
2) 说明来意, 说明问题, 解释误会，解释明白 are all somewhat set phrases. (解释来意 can also be said, but is used in rather difficult cases);
3) 说明 and 解释 both words can be used at the same time, such as 这种解释很能说明问题 (the explanation can prove a lot);
4) Since 明 in 说明 and 明白, 清楚 in 解释明白, 解释清楚 are very similar in meaning, 说明 and 解释 in 解释明白 are not interchangeable.
1
Láifǎngzhě
来访者
shuōmíng
说明
láiyì
来意
hòu
后
,
bèi
被
ràng
让
jìn
进
kètīng
客厅
。
The visitor explained his intention and was asked to come into the sitting room.
2
Tā
他
yòng
用
jī
几
gōu
句
huà
话
jiù
就
shuōmíng
说明
le
了
zhège
这个
zhéxué
哲学
wèntí
问题
。
He made the philosophical problem clear with a few words.
3
Zhè
这
zhǐ
只
shì
是
yī
一
gè
个
wùhuì
误会
,
jiěshì
解释
yī
一
xià
下
jiù
就
háng
行
le
了
。
This is a misunderstanding. little explanation will clear it up.
4
Tā
她
zěnme
怎么
yě
也
jiěshì
解释
bù
不
míngbái
明白
tā
她
zhèyàng
这样
zuò
做
de
的
yòngyì
用意
。
She cannot understand her intention of doing so.
说明 and 解释 are interchangeable when the meaning is only a clear general analysis.
加以, 予以, 作, etc. can be used in front of the 说明 and 解释.
5
Qǐng
请
lǎoshī
老师
shuōmíng
说明
(
jiěshì
解释
)
yī
一
xià
下
zhè
这
gōu
句
huà
话
de
的
yìsi
意思
。
Please tell us the meaning of the sentence,
6
Wèishénme
为什么
yòng
用
zhèyàng
这样
de
的
fāngfǎ
方法
,
qǐng
请
nǐ
你
jiāyǐ
加以
shuōmíng
说明
(
jiěshì
解释
)
。
Please tell us the reason why the method was emploved.
说明 as a Verb also means "to or confirm"; while 解释 has no such usages.
7
Diàochá
调查
jiēguǒ
结果
chōngfèn
充分
shuōmíng
说明
le
了
zhè
这
yī
一
wèntí
问题
de
的
yánzhòng
严重
xìng
性
。
The investigation result showed us fully the seriousness of the problem.
8
Jiēguǒ
结果
chōngfèn
充分
shuōmíng
说明
le
了
yǐnshí
饮食
hélǐ
合理
dāpèi
搭配
de
的
zhòngyào
重要
xìng
性
。
The results show clearly that balanced diet is very mportant.
说明 as a Noun means "directions, manual, or captions, synopsis".
9
Yībān
一般
shāngpǐn
商品
dōu
都
yīnggāi
应该
fùyǒu
附有
shǐyòng
使用
shuōmíng
说明
。
The manual is attached to the goods.
10
Túpiàn
图片
xià
下
fù
附
yǒu
有
shuōmíng
说明
。
There is a caption under the picture.
解释 can also function as subject or object, but does not have the meaning of 说明 as Noun.
11
Zhèzhǒng
这种
jiěshì
解释
shì
是
rùqíngrùlǐ
入情入理
de
的
。
The explanation is reasonable. (subject)
12
Tā
他
bù
不
tīng
听
wǒ
我
de
的
jiěshì
解释
,
yījiù
依旧
rènwéi
认为
wǒ
我
shì
是
gùyì
故意
bù
不
bāngzhù
帮助
tā
他
。
He didn't follow my explanation and he thought I didn't help him advertently. (object)