地理に明るい

[pacerier]

Hi all, does 地理に明るい means "good with geography" or does it mean something like someone "knows the way around this area" ?

 

[Glenn]

Hmm... judging from the definition it seems like it could be either, depending on the context.

あかる・い【明るい】 ［形］［文］あかる・し［ク］
６ （「…にあかるい」の形で）その物事・方面によく通じ ている。経験が豊富だ。「この辺の地理に―・い」「コ ンピューターに―・い人」⇔暗い。

http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/2352/m0u/明るい/

As you can see from the examples, この辺の地理に明るい would mean "well versed in the (geography of) the area," whereas コンピューターに明るい人 would be "someone well versed in computers". I'd think, though, if you were to just say 地理に明るい, it would mean more like "good at geography" than "know one's way around the area".

 

[pacerier]

Hmm ok thanks !