[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/explain/)

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# explain

verb (explain, explains, explained, explaining)

«explain» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To make something clear or easy to understand by describing it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#m1)
2. To give a reason for something: «Can you explain why you were late?» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#m2)

### In the lessons

In school: «Explain your answer» or «explain your thinking» means write or say HOW you got it and WHY it is right, not only the answer; science asks you to explain what happened in an experiment. In everyday life: explaining a problem to a trusted adult. Phrases: explain to someone, explain why, explain how, explain yourself, explain your answer, explanation.

### Examples

- Can you explain how you got 24? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x1)
- The teacher explained the rules of the game. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x2)
- Please explain why you were late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x3)
- Explain your answer with a picture. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x4)
- I'll explain it again more slowly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x5)
- Can you explain how a rainbow forms? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x6)
- She explained the problem to her mum. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x7)
- There's no need to explain — I understand. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x8)
- I cannot explain more at present. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/#x9)

### Note

Regular verb: explained. Say «explain something TO someone» — not «explain me». Noun: explanation (spelling: «explan-a-tion», no i after a). In maths tests, «explain» usually gives marks for working, not just the answer.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Jewish learning is full of explaining texts, and the Sefer Yetzirah has many commentators. In the primary lessons: In school: «Explain your answer» or «explain your thinking» means write or say HOW you got it and WHY it is right, not only the answer; science asks you to explain what happened in an experiment. In everyday life: explaining a problem to a trusted adult. Phrases: explain to someone, explain why, explain how, explain yourself, explain your answer, explanation.

### Examples

- Hermetic rituals explain this Yetziratic attri- bution. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/explain/#x1)
- This idea is then symbolically explained in the next paragraph. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/explain/#x2)
- This passage is explained by Isaac Satanow in his Hebrew Dictionary entitled Sephath Emeth, p. 44, b: (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/explain/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb: explained. Say «explain something TO someone» — not «explain me». Noun: explanation (spelling: «explan-a-tion», no i after a). In maths tests, «explain» usually gives marks for working, not just the answer.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «explain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/explain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«explain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/explain.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «explain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/explain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«explain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/explain.html) on Mova free.