Hey English learners! Do you sometimes get confused about the words "clarify" and "explain"? They're similar, but there are important differences. "Explain" means to make something understandable, often something complex. "Clarify" means to make something clearer or easier to understand, often something that's already somewhat understood but needs more precision. Think of "explain" as giving the big picture, and "clarify" as focusing on specific details to remove any confusion.

Let's look at some examples:

Explain:

• English: "Can you explain quantum physics to me?"

• Translation: "Can you make quantum physics understandable to me?"

• English: "The teacher explained the process of photosynthesis."

• Translation: "The teacher made the process of photosynthesis understandable."

Clarify:

• English: "Could you clarify what you mean by 'sustainable development'?"

• Translation: "Could you make your meaning of 'sustainable development' clearer?"

• English: "I didn't understand that part; could you clarify it please?"

• Translation: "I didn't understand that part; could you make it clearer please?"

Notice that "clarify" often implies that there's already some understanding, but it needs to be made more precise. You might use "clarify" to address a specific question or point of confusion, whereas "explain" is used when someone needs a more thorough understanding of something generally unfamiliar.

Sometimes, the words can be used interchangeably, but being aware of the subtle difference will help you sound more natural and precise in your English. Happy learning!