明确

• Pinyin: míng què
• Hanzi breakdown: 明 = 日 (sun) + 月 (moon), meaning bright; 确 = 石 (stone) + 角 (horn), meaning firm and certain

Meaning

Clear; definite; explicit. As a verb, to clarify or make something clear.

Functions as both an adjective (明确的目标 = a clear goal) and a verb (明确要求 = to clarify requirements). Common in work, study, and formal settings. Emphasises precision and absence of ambiguity. More formal than 清楚, which is more conversational.

Examples

1. 老师明确了考试的时间和地点。 The teacher clarified the time and location of the exam.
2. 你的目标不够明确，需要再想一想。 Your goal is not clear enough — you need to think about it more.
3. 公司明确要求员工每天按时上班。 The company explicitly requires employees to come to work on time every day.

Usage Guide

Context: work, education, regulations

Tone: precise

Do Say

• 请明确你的要求。(Please clarify your requirements.)
• 我们需要一个明确的计划。(We need a clear plan.)

Don't Say

• 这个苹果很明确地好吃。(Don't use 明确 for sensory qualities — use 确实 or 明显 instead. 明确 describes clarity of information, not degree of a quality.)

Origin & History

明 means bright or clear (sun + moon); 确 means certain or solid (stone + horn, implying firmness). Together they mean bright and certain — unambiguous.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal