xiǎnéryìjiàn: 显而易见 - Obvious, Self-Evident, Plain to see

• Keywords: 显而易见, xian er yi jian, obvious in Chinese, self-evident meaning, how to say something is clear in Chinese, Chinese idiom for obvious, 成语, chengyu, 显而易见 vs 明显, plain to see, Chinese grammar.
• Summary: Learn how to use the common Chinese idiom (chengyu) 显而易见 (xiǎn ér yì jiàn), which means “obvious,” “self-evident,” or “plain to see.” This guide breaks down the characters, explores its cultural context, and provides numerous practical examples to help you understand when something is not just clear, but 显而易见. Discover the nuances that separate it from other words like `明显 (míngxiǎn)` and elevate your Mandarin fluency.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiǎn ér yì jiàn
• Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ); Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: It is obvious and easy to see.
• In a Nutshell: 显而易见 (xiǎn ér yì jiàn) is a four-character idiom that's a slightly more formal and descriptive way to say something is “obvious.” It literally means “appears and is easy to see.” You use it when a fact, conclusion, or situation is so clear that it requires no special investigation or deep thought to understand. It's the perfect term for when the truth is staring you right in the face.

• 显 (xiǎn): To show, to appear, to be evident. Think of it as something revealing itself.
• 而 (ér): A classical literary conjunction that connects two ideas, similar to “and” or “and yet.” Here, it smoothly links the first part to the second.
• 易 (yì): Easy. The same character found in `容易 (róngyì - easy)`.
• 见 (jiàn): To see or to perceive. The same character in `看见 (kànjiàn - to see)`.

When you combine them