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March 24, 2026
明明míngmíng(ming2ming2)
明明 (míngmíng) means 'obviously' or 'plainly,' used to indicate something that is clear or undeniable. It often emphasizes a strong certainty about a situation or fact, and is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts to express that something is evident.
Frequency#4475DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being '明明' reflects the value placed on clarity and transparency in communication. It's often used in discussions about moral or social issues where the truth should be apparent.
Memory Tip
Think of 明 (míng), which means 'bright' or 'clear,' and repeat it for emphasis with another 明. Imagine the sun shining so brightly that everything is clear and obvious, hence 明明, meaning 'obviously'.
Meanings of 明明
míngmíng(ming2ming2)
1obviously
2plainly
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 明明
明明Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#4475Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 明明
Podcast: 明明
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AI Study Notes for 明明
Quick Contrast
明显 (míngxiǎn) vs 显然 (xiǎnrán) — use 明明 for emphasis on certainty, while 明显 indicates clarity without the same level of emphasis.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 明 (míng), which means 'bright' or 'clear,' and repeat it for emphasis with another 明. Imagine the sun shining so brightly that everything is clear and obvious, hence 明明, meaning 'obviously'.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 明明 with other similar words like 明白 (míngbái), which means 'to understand'. 明明 is more about clarity of a situation rather than comprehension. It is informal and can be used in everyday conversation, but may sound less suitable in very formal writing.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 明明 connects with words that express certainty or clarity, such as 清楚 (qīngchǔ) and 明白 (míngbái). Students should focus on using it in contexts that require strong emphasis on obviousness, practicing its usage in sentences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of being '明明' reflects the value placed on clarity and transparency in communication. It's often used in discussions about moral or social issues where the truth should be apparent.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 明明 when they mean to express understanding, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我明明了这个' (I obviously understand this) should be corrected to '我明白这个' (I understand this).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 明明
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Grammar Patterns of 明明
明明 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Truly there is, both in the Scripture and the statute - book.
Exercise 1 of 1
Reorder the Sentence
This is obviously her doing.
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Cultural Notes for 明明
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of being '明明' reflects the value placed on clarity and transparency in communication. It's often used in discussions about moral or social issues where the truth should be apparent.
Frequently Asked Questions about 明明
It's better to avoid using 明明 in formal contexts; opt for more formal expressions of clarity.
Yes, it can be used in both spoken and written forms, but it's more common in informal writing.
明明 emphasizes an undeniable truth, while 'clearly' can sometimes imply a less intense certainty.
