(1) 解释，说(阐)明，讲解 (make (sth) clear or easy to understand; clarify) [T+n，T+wh-inf，T+wh，D+n+prep(to)]：～the rules of a game/the meaning of a poem 解释游戏规则/一首诗的含义; She could not～her own emotions. 她无法解释自己的感情。～(to sb)what he was saying/why he was late/how the machine works/how to use the parachute(给某人)解释他在说些什么/他为什么迟到了/机器的工作原理/如何使用降落伞;Can you～the sentence to me? 你能给我解释一下这句话的意思吗? That can be easily～ed. 那很容易解释。〖同〗describe，demonstrate， illustrate;

(2) 说明……的理由; 为……辩解(护) (offer or give reasons for; account for) [T+n，D+n+prep (to)，T+that，T+wh-inf，T+wh，D+to+n+that，D+to+n+wh-inf，D+to+n+wh]：～one's behaviour/one's failure 对自己的行为/失败做出辩解; That～s his disappearance/why he did not come. 那就是他失踪/为什么没来的原因。give someone a chance to～给某人一个解释的机会;～what had happened/where his brother had gone 说明所发生的事/他的兄弟去了哪里;～his theory to the professor 向教授说明他的理论;～to the teacher why he was late/that he had to leave at once 向老师解释他迟到的原因/他必须马上离开; 〖同〗 interpret，justify;〖反〗confuse，misinterpret;

explain oneself 说明自己的意思，为自己的行为作解释(辩解)：Can you～yourself? 你能把自己的意思说清楚吗? Late home again! Please～yourself. 你回家又晚了!你能解释这是因为什么吗?

explain away (v adv) 把 …… 解释过去 (vt)：～away one's fault 将自己的过错解释过去;

→ ex′plainable adj 可说明(解释)的;͵expla′nation n 解释，说明;ex′planatory adj 解释的，说明的;

【辨异】explain和interpret均作“解释”讲。explain 指解释那些人们尚不知道或不明白的事物，如：Please explain this rule to me. (请给我解释一下这条规则。)interpret 则指通过释义、翻译或讲解说明某事的含义，如：interpret a poem (讲解一首诗)。