Keywords: mingxian, 明显 meaning, how to say obvious in Chinese, clear in Chinese, evident in Mandarin, apparent, Chinese adjective, HSK 3 vocabulary, mingxian vs qingchu, Chinese grammar, 明显 sentence examples.
Summary: Learn the meaning, usage, and cultural context of the essential Chinese word 明显 (míngxiǎn), which translates to “obvious,” “clear,” or “evident.” This guide for beginner and intermediate learners breaks down the characters, provides over 10 practical example sentences, and clarifies common confusion with similar words like 清楚 (qīngchu). Understand how to point out something that is apparent or plain to see in authentic Mandarin Chinese.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): míngxiǎn
Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
HSK Level: HSK 3
Concise Definition: Plain to see or understand; clearly expressed or easily perceived.
In a Nutshell:明显 (míngxiǎn) is your go-to word when something is “as plain as day.” It's used to point out facts, changes, or characteristics that are easy for anyone to notice. If you can see it, feel it, or understand it without much effort, it's 明显. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of starting a sentence with “Obviously…” or describing something as “clearly apparent.”
Character Breakdown
明 (míng): This character is a combination of the sun (日 rì) and the moon (月 yuè). Together, these two sources of light create the meaning of “bright,” “light,” or “clear.”
显 (xiǎn): This character means “to show,” “to display,” or “evident.” It depicts the sun (日 rì) over a character component that suggests displaying something. The idea is to bring something out into the sunlight to be seen clearly.
When combined, 明显 (míngxiǎn) literally means “brightly shown” or “clearly displayed.” This creates the powerful and direct meaning of something being completely obvious and undeniable.
Cultural Context and Significance
While Chinese communication can often be indirect to preserve social harmony (面子, miànzi), 明显 (míngxiǎn) serves as a tool for directness. Using it is a conscious choice to be unambiguous and state a fact that you believe is, or should be, apparent to everyone.
Comparison to Western Culture: In English, saying “obviously” can sometimes carry a sarcastic or impatient tone (e.g., “Well, obviously!”). In Chinese, 明显 is generally more neutral and factual. It's less about expressing impatience and more about stating an observation. However, using it to point out someone's mistake (这是一个明显的错误) can feel very blunt and critical because it leaves no room for interpretation—it frames the mistake as something that should have been easily avoided. It's a word that prioritizes objective fact over subjective feeling.
Practical Usage in Modern China
明显 is extremely versatile and is used in both formal and informal settings, from everyday chat to news reports and business presentations.
As an Adjective: It directly describes a noun. It is often used with 很 (hěn) or a similar adverb of degree.
Structure: 明显的 + Noun or Noun + 很明显
Example: 这是一个明显的进步。(This is an obvious improvement.)
As an Adverb: It modifies an entire sentence, usually placed at the beginning. It functions just like “obviously” or “clearly” in English.
Structure: 明显，+ Sentence
Example: 明显，他不喜欢这个礼物。(Obviously, he doesn't like this gift.)
Example Sentences
Example 1:
他的态度有了明显的改变。
Pinyin: Tā de tàidù yǒu le míngxiǎn de gǎibiàn.
English: There has been an obvious change in his attitude.
Analysis: Here, 明显 is used as an adjective to describe the noun “change” (改变). It highlights that the shift in his attitude is easy for anyone to observe.
English: Obviously, you weren't listening to me carefully.
Analysis: Used as a sentence-starting adverb, 明显 sets a direct, factual tone. It's a conclusion drawn from observation (perhaps the person's distracted look).
Example 3:
这两个版本的区别很明显。
Pinyin: Zhè liǎng ge bǎnběn de qūbié hěn míngxiǎn.
English: The difference between these two versions is very obvious.
Analysis: A common structure where the subject (the difference) is stated first, followed by 很 (hěn) and the adjective 明显.
Example 4:
他的谎言太明显了，没人相信。
Pinyin: Tā de huǎngyán tài míngxiǎn le, méi rén xiāngxìn.
English: His lie was too obvious, nobody believed it.
Analysis: The “太…了” (tài…le) structure is used here to emphasize that the degree of obviousness is excessive.
Example 5:
运动对健康的好处是明显的。
Pinyin: Yùndòng duì jiànkāng de hǎochù shì míngxiǎn de.
English: The benefits of exercise for health are obvious.
Analysis: The “是…的” (shì…de) structure is used here for emphasis, confirming the “obvious” nature of the statement.
Example 6:
跟去年相比，今年的销售额有了明显的增长。
Pinyin: Gēn qùnián xiāng bǐ, jīnnián de xiāoshòu'é yǒu le míngxiǎn de zēngzhǎng.
English: Compared to last year, this year's sales volume has had a clear increase.
Analysis: This is a typical example from a business or formal context, showing that the growth (增长) is significant and easy to see in the data.
Example 7:
她脸上的失望表情很明显。
Pinyin: Tā liǎn shàng de shīwàng biǎoqíng hěn míngxiǎn.
English: The disappointed expression on her face was very obvious.
Analysis: 明显 is perfect for describing non-verbal cues and emotions that are easy to read.
Example 8:
医生说他没有任何明显的症状。
Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō tā méiyǒu rènhé míngxiǎn de zhèngzhuàng.
English: The doctor said he doesn't have any obvious symptoms.
Analysis: This shows the use of 明显 in a negative context to state that there is a lack of something easily observable.
Example 9:
他最近胖了十斤，太明显了！
Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn pàng le shí jīn, tài míngxiǎn le!
English: He's gained 10 jin (5 kg) recently, it's so obvious!
Analysis: A very common, informal use in daily conversation to comment on a visible physical change.
Example 10:
最明显的一点是，我们的成本下降了。
Pinyin: Zuì míngxiǎn de yī diǎn shì, wǒmen de chéngběn xiàjiàng le.
English: The most obvious point is that our costs have decreased.
Analysis: Used with “最” (zuì - most), it singles out the most apparent fact among many.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
明显 (míngxiǎn) vs. 清楚 (qīngchu): This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
明显 (míngxiǎn) refers to something that is easy to perceive externally; it's self-evident to an observer. It's about what you perceive.
Example: 效果很明显。 (The effect is obvious.) → Anyone can see the result.
清楚 (qīngchu) refers to clarity of understanding or the quality of a medium (sound, image, text). It's about how well you perceive something.
Example: 你听清楚了吗？ (Did you hear clearly?) → Is my voice clear enough for you to understand?
Example: 这张照片很清楚。 (This photo is very clear.) → It is not blurry.
Common Mistake: Saying “*这个字写得不明显*” to mean “This character is written unclearly.”
Why it's wrong: 明显 means “obvious.” You should use 清楚 for legibility.
Correct: 这个字写得不清楚。(This character is written unclearly/not legibly.)
Related Terms and Concepts
* 清楚 (qīngchu) - Means “clear” in the sense of being understood, legible, or audible. It relates to the quality of perception, not the self-evident nature of a fact.
* 显然 (xiǎnrán) - A more formal, literary synonym for “obviously” or “evidently.” Often used at the start of a sentence in writing.
* 显著 (xiǎnzhù) - A stronger, more formal term meaning “notable,” “remarkable,” or “significant.” It's used for major, obvious changes or results (e.g., a remarkable achievement).
* 突出 (tūchū) - Means “prominent,” “outstanding,” or “to protrude.” Describes something that physically or metaphorically sticks out from its surroundings.
* 明确 (míngquè) - Means “clear-cut,” “explicit,” or “unequivocal.” It's about removing ambiguity in communication, rules, or instructions, rather than being visually obvious.
* 模糊 (móhu) - An antonym meaning “blurry,” “vague,” or “indistinct.” The direct opposite of being clear.
* 含糊 (hánhu) - An antonym, often referring to speech or attitude that is intentionally “ambiguous” or “vague.”