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明白 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
明白
míngbai
clear
HSK 3, nr, 13 strokes, rank #175, Medium
明白
míngbai
obvious
HSK 3, nr, 13 strokes, rank #175, Medium
明白
míngbai
unequivocal
HSK 3, nr, 13 strokes, rank #175, Medium
明白
míngbai
to understand
HSK 3, nr, 13 strokes, rank #175, Medium
明白
míngbai
to realize
HSK 3, nr, 13 strokes, rank #175, Medium
míngbai(ming2bai5)ming bai T2
1clear
2obvious
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March 24, 2026
明白míngbai(ming2bai5)
明白 (míngbái) means to understand or to be clear about something. It is commonly used to express that a concept or situation is obvious or that one has grasped the meaning of something. In conversation, it can indicate both comprehension and clarity.
Strokes13Frequency#175DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, clarity in communication is highly valued, and being 明白 about one’s thoughts can indicate respect and consideration for others' understanding. This is especially important in business and formal interactions.
Memory tip
The character 明 (míng) resembles a bright light, representing clarity, while 白 (bái) means white, often associated with purity and transparency. Together, imagine a bright light shining on a white canvas, making everything clear and understandable.
Meanings of 明白
míngbai(ming2bai5)
1clear
2obvious
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 明白
明白Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínrav (n.)Part of Speech
#175Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 明白
Podcast: 明白
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AI study notes for 明白
Quick Contrast
懂 (dǒng) vs 明白 (míngbái): Use 懂 when referring to understanding something more deeply or having learned it, while 明白 emphasizes clarity or obviousness in comprehension.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 明白 with 了解 (liǎojiě), which is more about understanding the details, while 明白 implies clarity. It’s informal, so use it in everyday conversations rather than formal writing. Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 明白 connects well with other basic verbs related to understanding and communication, such as 知道 (zhīdào) and 理解 (lǐjiě). Students should focus on using it in simple sentences to express comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 明白 with 不明白 (bù míngbái) and use it incorrectly in negative forms. For example, saying '我不明白了' is incorrect; it should be '我不明白' (I do not understand).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 明白
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明白 (míngbái) means to understand or to be clear about something. It is commonly used to express that a concept or situation is obvious or that one has grasped the meaning of something. In conversation, it can indicate both comprehension and clarity.
When to use 明白
Learners often confuse 明白 with 了解 (liǎojiě), which is more about understanding the details, while 明白 implies clarity. It’s informal, so use it in everyday conversations rather than formal writing. Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing them can change the meaning.
明白 or something close to it
懂 (dǒng) vs 明白 (míngbái): Use 懂 when referring to understanding something more deeply or having learned it, while 明白 emphasizes clarity or obviousness in comprehension.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 明白 with 不明白 (bù míngbái) and use it incorrectly in negative forms. For example, saying '我不明白了' is incorrect; it should be '我不明白' (I do not understand).
Write 明白
明
白
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Grammar patterns of 明白
明白 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 5 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.
