Tra từ explain - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

ex·plain [explain explains explained explaining] BrE [ɪkˈspleɪn] NAmE [ɪkˈspleɪn] verb
1. transitive, intransitive to tell sb about sth in a way that makes it easy to understand
•~ (sth) (to sb) First, I'll explain the rules of the game.
• It was difficult to explain the problem to beginners.
•‘Let me explain!’ he added helpfully.
•~ that… I explained that an ambulance would be coming soon.
•~ who, how, etc… He explained who each person in the photo was.
•Can you explain how the email system works?
•~ to sb who, how, etc… She explained to them what to do in an emergency.
•+ speech ‘It works like this,’ she explained.
•it is explained that… It was explained that attendance was compulsory.
2. intransitive, transitive to give a reason, or be a reason, for sth
• She tried to explain but he wouldn't listen.
•~ that… Alex explained that his car had broken down.
•~ why, how, etc… Well, that doesn't explain why you didn't phone.
•~ sth (to sb) scientific findings that help explain the origins of the universe
•The government now has to explain its decision to the public.
• (informal)Oh well then, that explains it (= I understand now why sth happened). You cannot say ‘explain me, him, her, etc.’
•Can you explain the situation to me?
•Can you explain me the situation?
•I'll explain to you why I like it.
•I'll explain you why I like it.
Idiom: ↑explain yourself
Derived: ↑explain something away
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin explanare, based on planus ‘plain’.

Thesaurus:
explain verb
1. T, I
•Pat explained the rules of the game.
spell sth out • • define • • interpret • • illustrate • • shed/cast/throw light on sth • |formal clarify • • expound •
explain/spell out/clarify/expound sth to sb
explain/spell out that…
explain/spell out/illustrate/shed light on/clarify how/what/why…
2. I, T
•The government now has to explain its decision to the public.
justify • • defend • • account for sth •
explain/justify/defend/account for sth to sb
explain/justify/account for what/why/how…
explain/justify/defend/account for a decision/sb's behaviour
explain/justify/defend yourself

Word Family:
explain verb
explanation noun
explanatory adjective
explicable adjective (≠ inexplicable)

Example Bank:
•I explained the issues in great detail.
•I have a letter here which explains everything.
•I know I'm late, but I can explain why.
•It is a book which seeks to explain the birth of Greek tragedy.
•It's difficult to explain exactly how the system works.
•Let me explain what I mean.
•Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause.
•She explained the plan to me very carefully.
•She saw his quick frown and hastened to explain.
•She tried to explain about her fears and anxieties.
•The doctor explained patiently what the treatment would be.
•The general principles behind the method used are explained clearly and concisely.
•The reasons for the accident have not been fully explained.
•This goes some way towards explaining the hostility between the two groups.
•This partly explains why he was so late.
•This phenomenon can be easily explained.
•‘It was like this,’ she explained.
•‘Let me explain,’ he continued.
•Ed explained that his car had broken down.
•First, let me explain the rules of the game.
•He explained awkwardly that he had not slept at his own home that night.
•I can explain everything!. I was just trying to help her with her homework!
•I really don't see why I should have to explain myself to you.
•I tried to explain the problem to the technician.
•I'll explain the system in greater detail next time.
•Oh well then, that explains it.
•She explained to them what to do in the event of an emergency.
•She tried to explain but he wouldn't listen.
•The official explained patiently that our documents were not valid.
•The rules need to be clearly explained to all newcomers.
•There's no need to explain. We understand.
•Well, that doesn't explain why you didn't call me.