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明 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
明míngMing Dynasty (1368-1644)HSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngsurname MingHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngMing (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yán dì] descended from Shennong 神農HSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míng>神农[Shén nóng] Farmer GodHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngbrightHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngopposite: dark 暗[àn]HSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míng(of meaning) clearHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngto understandHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngnextHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngpublic or openHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngwiseHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明mínggeneric term for a sacrifice to the godsHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngbright, clear; to explain, to understand, to shed lightHSK 1, a, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
明míngMing (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yan2 di4] descended from Shennong 神農|神农[Shen2 nong2] Farmer GodHSK 1, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 日, rank #2107, Hard
míng(Ming2) T2
  1. 1Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
  2. 2Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yán dì] descended from Shennong 神農
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
明míng(Ming2)

The character 明 (míng) primarily means 'bright' or 'clear,' and it is often used in contexts related to light, understanding, and clarity. It can also refer to the Ming Dynasty, a significant period in Chinese history known for its cultural and political developments. Additionally, it serves as a surname and is associated with clarity of thought or expression.

Strokes8Radical日Frequency#2107DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The Ming Dynasty is a pivotal era in Chinese history, known for advancements in culture, art, and exploration. The character 明 is often associated with this period, representing the brightness and achievements of this time.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright, shining sun illuminating everything around it. The character 明 is made up of two components: 日 (rì), meaning 'sun,' and 月 (yuè), meaning 'moon.' Together, they symbolize brightness and clarity, just like the sun and moon's light helps us see and understand our surroundings.

Meanings of 明

míng(Ming2)
1Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
2Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝[Yán dì] descended from Shennong 神農
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 明

明Simplified
8Strokes
日Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2107Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1

Podcast: 明

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Podcast: 明

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 明

Quick Contrast

清 (qīng) - use 明 (míng) when referring to brightness or clarity of light, while 清 (qīng) emphasizes purity or cleanliness.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bright, shining sun illuminating everything around it. The character 明 is made up of two components: 日 (rì), meaning 'sun,' and 月 (yuè), meaning 'moon.' Together, they symbolize brightness and clarity, just like the sun and moon's light helps us see and understand our surroundings.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 明 (míng) with 暗 (àn), which means 'dark.' It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in expressions related to enlightenment or clarity. Common collocations include 明白 (míngbái, to understand) and 明亮 (míngliàng, bright).

HSK Study Tips

While 明 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects well to Level 3 vocabulary that involves colors and descriptions. Focus on its usage in phrases to enhance comprehension and conversational skills, as it frequently appears in everyday language.

Cultural Note

The Ming Dynasty is a pivotal era in Chinese history, known for advancements in culture, art, and exploration. The character 明 is often associated with this period, representing the brightness and achievements of this time.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 明 (míng) with other similar-sounding words. For example, using it incorrectly in the context of 'darkness' instead of using 暗 (àn) is a common error. Remember, 明 specifically refers to brightness or clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 明

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Etymology of 明

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

The character was originally a pictograph of the moon (月) shining through a window (囧). Traditionally (but incorrectly) explained that the sun (日) and moon (月) together are bright (明).

Memory Hint

The light of the sun 日 and moon 月

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 明?

Decomposition of 明

IDS Structure⿰日月
明Full Character
=
日Ri4
left
月yue4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 明?

Write 明

明

Practice writing 明 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 明

明 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

好的，____天见！

Okay, see you tomorrow!

Example Sentences for 明 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我真的不明白为什么要改变它。

wǒ zhēn de bù míng bái wéi shí mó yào gǎi biàn tā。

I really don't see any reason for changing it.
2
黎明时分，我把他叫醒，告诉他我们要走了。

lí míng shí fēn， ， wǒ bǎ tā jiào， xǐng ， gào sù tā wǒ mén yào。

At dawn I woke him up and said we were leaving.
3
我来给旅馆打电话，通知他们我们明天入住。

wǒ lái gěi lǚ guǎn dǎ diàn huà， ， tōng zhī tā mén wǒ mén míng tiān rù。

I'll ring the hotel. I'll tell them we'll check in tomorrow.
4
我接触到一些非常聪明的哈佛和耶鲁的学生。

wǒ jiē chù dào yī xiē fēi cháng cōng míng de hā fó hé yé lǔ de xué shēng。

I came into contact with very bright Harvard and Yale students.
5
我会回去，找到你，爱你，娶你，活的光明正大。

wǒ huì huí qù， ， zhǎo dào， nǐ ，， ài nǐ， ， qǔ nǐ ， huó de。

I will return, find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.
6
要了解这些产品的详细信息，请寄来标明HB/FF字样的明信片。

yào le jiě zhè xiē chǎn pǐn de xiáng xì xìn xī， ， qǐng jì lái biāoHB/FF míng HB/FF zì yàng de míng。

For more details about these products, send a postcard marked HB/FF.
7
土耳其局势将成为明天《卫报》的头条。

tǔ ěr qí jú shì jiāng chéng wéi míng tiān《 《 wèi》 bào 》 de。

The Turkish situation makes the lead in tomorrow's Guardian.
8
你的决定必须转化为具体明确的行动。

nǐ de jué dìng bì xū zhuǎn huà wéi jù tǐ míng què de háng dòng。

Your decision must be translated into specific, concrete actions.
9
如果你读过我早期的回忆录，就全都明白了。

rú guǒ nǐ dú guò wǒ zǎo qī de huí yì lù， ， jiù quán dū míng bái。

If you've read my earlier memoirs you'll know all about it.
10
她有点自命不凡，你明白我的意思吧？

tā yǒu diǎn zì mìng bù fán， ， nǐ míng bái wǒ de yì sī？

She was a bit stuck up, know what I mean?

Cultural Notes for 明

🏮Cultural insight

The Ming Dynasty is a pivotal era in Chinese history, known for advancements in culture, art, and exploration. The character 明 is often associated with this period, representing the brightness and achievements of this time.

Word Family of 明

Compounds7
盟meng2oath
萌meng2to sprout
奣
奛
朚
焽
琞
Words Containing This Character20
明白míngbaiclear
明天míngtiāntomorrow
明显míngxiǎnclear明顯
证明zhèngmíngproof證明
说明shuōmíngto explain說明
聪明cōngmíngclever聰明
明míngbright
明星míngxīngstar
明确míngquèclear-cut明確
表明biǎomíngto make clear
明年míngniánnext year
文明wénmíngcivilized
声明shēngmíngto state聲明
发明fāmíngto invent發明
明明míngmíngobviously
三明治sānmíngzhìsandwich (loanword)
光明guāngmínglight
不明not clear
透明tòumíngtransparent
明早tomorrow
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 盟 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 明

It is pronounced as 'míng,' with a rising tone.