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一目了然 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
一目了然yímùliǎoránobvious at a glance (idiom)HSK 7, i, rank #20051, Hard
yímùliǎorán(yi2mu4liao3ran2) T1
  1. 1obvious at a glance (idiom)
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March 24, 2026
一目了然yímùliǎorán(yi2mu4liao3ran2)

The idiom 一目了然 (yī mù liǎo rán) means that something is clear or obvious at a glance. It is often used to describe information or situations that are straightforward, requiring little to no explanation for understanding. This phrase conveys a sense of clarity and immediacy in comprehension.

Frequency#20051DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, clarity and directness are valued in communication, especially in business and education. The use of idioms like 一目了然 reflects a preference for straightforwardness in conveying ideas.

Memory Tip

Imagine seeing a clear, bright sign (一目) that instantly tells you where to go (了然). The first character 一 (one) suggests simplicity, while 目 (eye) indicates vision, and 了然 (clear) illustrates that you immediately grasp the information with just a glance.

Meanings of 一目了然

yímùliǎorán(yi2mu4liao3ran2)
1obvious at a glance (idiom)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 一目了然

一目了然Simplified
Strokes
Radical
成语chéngyǔidiom (id.)Part of Speech
#20051Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 一目了然

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Podcast: 一目了然

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AI Study Notes for 一目了然

Quick Contrast

明显 (míngxiǎn) vs 清楚 (qīngchǔ) — use 一目了然 when emphasizing immediate clarity at a glance, while 明显 suggests something is evident or conspicuous, and 清楚 indicates something is clear but may require more explanation.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine seeing a clear, bright sign (一目) that instantly tells you where to go (了然). The first character 一 (one) suggests simplicity, while 目 (eye) indicates vision, and 了然 (clear) illustrates that you immediately grasp the information with just a glance.

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in written language. Be careful not to confuse it with similar phrases that imply uncertainty. Common collocations include '信息' (information) or '结果' (results) being 一目了然.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 phrase, students should focus on its usage in complex sentences and recognize it in written texts. This idiom connects well with other advanced level expressions about clarity and understanding, such as 明白 (míng bái) and 清楚 (qīng chǔ).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, clarity and directness are valued in communication, especially in business and education. The use of idioms like 一目了然 reflects a preference for straightforwardness in conveying ideas.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse this idiom in contexts where something is complicated rather than clear. For example, saying '这个问题一目了然' (This problem is obvious at a glance) when it is actually quite complex would be incorrect; instead, they should use '这个问题很复杂' (This problem is very complex).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 一目了然

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Idiom Spotlight: 一目了然

Chengyu Origin Story
Literal meaning:one eye clear obvious

Component Characters

one
HSK 11 strokes
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eye
HSK 15 strokes
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le(modal particle intensifying preceding clause)
HSK 12 strokes
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ráncorrect
12 strokes
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Write 一目了然

Practice writing 一目了然 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 一目了然

一目了然 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

那组特写照片和附带的评论____,毫无含糊之处。

The close-up photography and commentary are clear and unambiguous.

Example Sentences for 一目了然 (1)

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1
那组特写照片和附带的评论一目了然,毫无含糊之处。

nà zǔ tè xiě zhào piàn hé fù dài de píng lùn yī mù le rán, , háo wú hán hū zhī。

The close-up photography and commentary are clear and unambiguous.

Cultural Notes for 一目了然

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, clarity and directness are valued in communication, especially in business and education. The use of idioms like 一目了然 reflects a preference for straightforwardness in conveying ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions about 一目了然

Yes, while it is more common in writing, you can use it in spoken language to emphasize clarity.