明明

• Pinyin: míng míng
• Hanzi breakdown: 明明 = 明 (bright/clear) × 2, emphatic reduplication meaning obviously

Meaning

Obviously; clearly. Emphasizes that something is evident or undeniable.

An adverb used to stress that a fact is obvious, often expressing frustration or incredulity when reality contradicts expectations. Commonly used when pointing out contradictions or insisting on the truth of something.

Examples

1. 他明明答应了要来，怎么又不来了？ He clearly promised to come, so why isn't he coming now?
2. 你明明知道这样做不对，为什么还要做？ You obviously know this is wrong, so why are you still doing it?
3. 钥匙明明放在桌上的，怎么找不到了？ The key was clearly on the table; how come I can't find it?

Usage Guide

Context: emphasis, contradiction, frustration

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 我明明告诉过你了。(I obviously told you already.)
• 明明很简单的事，搞这么复杂。(It's obviously such a simple thing, yet you've made it so complicated.)

Don't Say

• 这道菜明明好吃。(明明 implies contradiction or emphasis on overlooked facts — for simple positive statements, just use 很好吃)

Origin & History

明 (míng, clear) reduplicated for emphasis. Clearly and obviously.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal