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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
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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.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
This article is written clearly, making it effortless to read.
nrobvious3
13
这个问题的答案很明白，不需要多解释。
Zhège wèntí de dá'àn hěn míngbai, bù xūyào duō jiěshì.
The answer to this question is obvious, no need for further explanation.
14
明白的事实是他迟到了。
Míngbai de shìshí shì tā chídào le.
The obvious fact is that he is late.
15
这个标志很明白，禁止停车。
Zhège biāozhì hěn míngbai, jìnzhǐ tíngchē.
The sign is obvious, no parking allowed.
Cultural Notes for 明白
🏮Cultural insight
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about 明白
You can say '我明白你的意思' (Wǒ míngbái nǐ de yìsi), which means 'I understand your meaning.'
It is generally used in informal contexts, so for formal writing or speeches, consider using 理解 (lǐjiě) instead.
Yes, you can say '这很明白' (Zhè hěn míngbái) to mean 'This is very clear/obvious.'
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