Meanings of 明
By ear
Play it, then pick what 明 means.
About 明
Podcast: 明
Podcast: 明
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 明
清 (qīng) - use 明 (míng) when referring to brightness or clarity of light, while 清 (qīng) emphasizes purity or cleanliness.
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).
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 明
Drill the tone of 明 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 明 to You
Let me explain 明 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 明 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 明?
Learning Lab
Knowing 明 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 明
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).
The light of the sun 日 and moon 月
Origin
What kind of character is 明?
Decomposition of 明
Parts
Which of these is part of 明?
How to say bright in Chinese
“bright” in Chinese is明
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.
When to use 明
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).
明 or something close to it
清 (qīng) - use 明 (míng) when referring to brightness or clarity of light, while 清 (qīng) emphasizes purity or cleanliness.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 明
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 明 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____天你能来吗？
Can you come tomorrow?
Example Sentences for 明 (16)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 明?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Word Family of 明
Characters with 明
What does 盟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 明
It is pronounced as 'míng,' with a rising tone.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 明?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.