Meanings of 明显
By ear
Play it, then pick what 明显 means.
About 明显
Podcast: 明显
Podcast: 明显
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 明显
明显 (míngxiǎn) vs 清楚 (qīngchǔ) — use 明显 when emphasizing something that is obvious or apparent, while 清楚 focuses more on clarity and comprehension.
When using 明显, ensure that it is applied in contexts where clarity is essential; avoid using it in overly formal settings where more sophisticated terms might be preferred. Common collocations include 明显的区别 (obvious difference) and 明显的错误 (obvious mistake). Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words.
As an HSK Level 5 word, 明显 is useful for describing observations and assessments clearly. Students should focus on how it can be combined with other adjectives or verbs to enhance their descriptive skills in conversation.
Learners often mistakenly use 明显 in contexts where it is too strong, such as saying '这个问题明显错误' (this question is obviously wrong) instead of '这个问题有明显错误' (this question has obvious mistakes). It's important to use it to describe the clarity or distinctness of a quality rather than to make overly strong assertions.
Pronunciation of 明显
Drill the tone of 明显, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 明显 to you
Let me explain 明显 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 明显 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 明显?
Learning Lab
Knowing 明显 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
Component characters
How to say clear in Chinese
“clear” in Chinese is明显
明显 (míngxiǎn) means clear, distinct, or obvious, often used to describe something that is easily perceived or understood. It can refer to tangible objects, ideas, or situations where the difference or characteristic is easily identifiable, making it a common term in everyday conversations and formal writing.
When to use 明显
When using 明显, ensure that it is applied in contexts where clarity is essential; avoid using it in overly formal settings where more sophisticated terms might be preferred. Common collocations include 明显的区别 (obvious difference) and 明显的错误 (obvious mistake). Be mindful of the tones; mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words.
明显 or something close to it
明显 (míngxiǎn) vs 清楚 (qīngchǔ) — use 明显 when emphasizing something that is obvious or apparent, while 清楚 focuses more on clarity and comprehension.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 明显 in contexts where it is too strong, such as saying '这个问题明显错误' (this question is obviously wrong) instead of '这个问题有明显错误' (this question has obvious mistakes). It's important to use it to describe the clarity or distinctness of a quality rather than to make overly strong assertions.
Write 明显
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 明显 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 明显
明显 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 3 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.
同越南恢复友好关系的迹象越来越____了。
There have been growing signs of a ra-pprochement with Vietnam.
Example sentences for 明显 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 明显?
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 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 明显
Yes, 明显 is appropriate for both spoken and written contexts, including formal writing.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 明显?
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.