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英明 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
英明yīngmíngwiseHSK 7, nz, rank #18233, Hard
英明yīngmíngbrilliantHSK 7, nz, rank #18233, Hard
yīngmíng(ying1ming2) T1
  1. 1wise
  2. 2brilliant
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
英明yīngmíng(ying1ming2)

The term '英明' refers to someone who is wise and brilliant, typically in a leadership or intellectual context. It is often used to describe leaders, scholars, or individuals who display exceptional judgment and insight.

Frequency#18233DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, wisdom and brilliance are highly valued traits, often associated with historical figures like Confucius. The term is frequently used in discussions about governance and leadership qualities.

Memory Tip

Imagine a bright star ('英' meaning 'hero' or 'brave') shining brightly in the night sky ('明' meaning 'bright' or 'clear'). Together, they represent a wise and brilliant figure whose light guides others.

Meanings of 英明

yīngmíng(ying1ming2)
1wise
2brilliant
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 英明

英明Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18233Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 英明

JasonAmy

Podcast: 英明

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AI Study Notes for 英明

Quick Contrast

聪明 (cōngmíng) vs 英俊 (yīngjùn) — choose 英明 for wisdom and insight in leadership contexts, while 聪明 emphasizes intelligence and quick thinking, and 英俊 focuses on handsome or outstanding appearance.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a bright star ('英' meaning 'hero' or 'brave') shining brightly in the night sky ('明' meaning 'bright' or 'clear'). Together, they represent a wise and brilliant figure whose light guides others.

Usage Notes

This term is generally used in formal contexts, often to praise someone's intelligence or decision-making skills. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding words; ensure that you use '英明' specifically to convey brilliance in judgment.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, '英明' builds on foundational vocabulary related to characteristics and qualities. Students should focus on using it in conjunction with other descriptive words to enhance their expressive capabilities.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, wisdom and brilliance are highly valued traits, often associated with historical figures like Confucius. The term is frequently used in discussions about governance and leadership qualities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '英明' with '聪明' (smart), using it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, saying '他很英明' (He is very wise) in a casual chat about a friend might come off as overly formal; instead, use '他很聪明' (He is very smart).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 英明

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Component Characters

YīngUnited Kingdom
8 strokes
View full entry
míngMing Dynasty (1368-1644)
HSK 18 strokes
View full entry

Write 英明

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

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Grammar Patterns of 英明

英明 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

我们头儿作出了____决定——让人来农场接他。

Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.

Example Sentences for 英明 (1)

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1
我们头儿作出了英明决定——让人来农场接他。

wǒ mén tóu ér zuò chū le yīng míng jué dìng—— —— ràng rén lái nóng cháng jiē。

Our man had wisely decided to be picked up at the farm.

Cultural Notes for 英明

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, wisdom and brilliance are highly valued traits, often associated with historical figures like Confucius. The term is frequently used in discussions about governance and leadership qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions about 英明

'英明' is typically reserved for formal situations or to describe distinguished individuals, rather than casual conversations.