明明
míng míng
Obviously, clearly
明明 (míng míng) — obviously, clearly
明明 (míngmíng) + Fact, [却 (què)/可是 (kěshì) + Contradiction / Rhetorical question]
HSK 63.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what明明Fact，却可是Contrast
Rule structure
明明 (míng míng) (míngmíng) stresses that a fact is obvious: "it's perfectly clear that…". It usually sets up puzzlement, reproach, or contrast. It often appears with 却 (què) or 可是 (kěshì).
Rule structure
明明 (míng míng) (míngmíng) stresses that a fact is obvious: "it's perfectly clear that…". It usually sets up puzzlement, reproach, or contrast. It often appears with 却 (què) or 可是 (kěshì).
Examples
他明明知道，却不说。
Tā míngmíng zhīdào, què bù shuō.
He knows perfectly well, yet won’t say anything.
Examples
他明明知道，却不说。
Tā míngmíng zhīdào, què bù shuō.
He knows perfectly well, yet won’t say anything.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “obviously, clearly” in Chinese with 明明?
Use the structure: 明明 (míngmíng) + Fact, [却 (què)/可是 (kěshì) + Contradiction / Rhetorical question]. For example: 他明明知道，却不说。 — “He knows perfectly well, yet won’t say anything”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他明明知道，却不说。 — “He knows perfectly well, yet won’t say anything”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 6.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 6 grammar rules
再三 — over and over again
再三 (zàisān) + Verb Phrase
好不容易 — difficulty, “finally”
好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì) / 好容易 (hǎo róngyì) + 才 (cái) + Verb Phrase
一再 — again and again
一再 (yízài) + Verb Phrase
凡是 — all, every
凡是 (fánshì) + Noun Phrase, 都 (dōu) + Verb
干脆 — just do it
干脆 (gāncuì) + Verb Phrase
一向 — always been
Subj. + 一向 (yíxiàng) + Verb / Adj.
一时 vs 一度 — temporary vs once
一时 (yìshí): temporary (moment) / 一度 (yídù): once (period in past)
一直 vs 一向 — always vs consistently
一直 (yìzhí): continuously (from past to present) / 一向 (yíxiàng): consistently (habit)