Usage of the character 明

bright
opposite: dark 暗 (àn)
(of meaning) clear
to understand
next
public or open
wise
generic term for a sacrifice to the gods

Míng

明

[明]

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
surname Ming
Ming (c. 2000 BC), fourth of the legendary Flame Emperors, 炎帝 ( Yándi) descended from Shennong 神農／神农 ( Shénnong) Farmer God

jiǎngmíng

讲明

[講明]

to explain

míngwén

明文

[明文]

to state in writing (laws, rules etc)

píngmíng

平明

[平明]

(literary) dawn
daybreak
impartial and astute

míngxiǎn

明显

[明顯]

clear
distinct
obvious

míngjìng

明镜

[明鏡]

mirror (as a metaphor for sth beautiful, bright and flat – such as a lake – or sth that provides clarity and insight)

fù Míng

复明

[復明]

to restore the Ming dynasty

xiānmíng

鲜明

[鮮明]

(of colors) bright; fresh and clear
clear-cut; distinct

míngbai

明白

[明白]

clear
obvious
unequivocal
to understand
to realize

qīngmíng

清明

[清明]

clear and bright
sober and calm
(of a government or administration) well ordered

Míngzhì

明治

[明治]

Meiji, Japanese era name, corresponding to the reign (1868-1912) of the Meiji emperor

límíng

黎明

[黎明]

dawn; daybreak

Míngmò

明末

[明末]

late Ming
first half of the 17th century

liúmíng

流明

[流明]

lumen (unit of light flux) (loanword)

Wáng Míng

王明

[王明]

Wang Ming (1904-1974), Soviet-trained Chinese communist, Comintern and Soviet stooge and left adventurist in the 1930s, fell out with Mao and moved to Soviet Union from 1956

mínglǐ

明理

[明理]

sensible
reasonable
an obvious reason, truth or fact
to understand the reason or reasoning

Míngshān

明山

[明山]

Mingshan, a district of Benxi 本溪市 ( Běnxi Shì), Liaoning

mínglì

明丽

[明麗]

bright and beautiful
(of a landscape) gorgeous
(of a color) vibrant

chǎnmíng

阐明

[闡明]

to elucidate
to explain clearly
to expound

bùmíng

不明

[不明]

not clear
unknown
to fail to understand

míngyuè

明月

[明月]

bright moon
refers to 夜明珠, a legendary pearl that can glow in the dark
CL:輪／轮 (lún)

míngbiàn

明辨

[明辨]

to discern
to distinguish clearly

wénmíng

文明

[文明]

civilized
civilization
culture
CL:個／个 (gè)

lièmíng

列明

[列明]

to list
to specify

míngtiān

明天

[明天]

tomorrow

bǎimíng

摆明

[擺明]

to show clearly

Míngshǐ

明史

[明史]

History of the Ming Dynasty, twenty fourth of the 24 dynastic histories 二十四史 ( Ershísì Shǐ), compiled under Zhang Tingyu 張廷玉／张廷玉 ( Zhāng Tíngyù) in 1739 during the Qing Dynasty, 332 scrolls

míngxiā

明虾

[明蝦]

prawn

mínghuì

明慧

[明慧]

intelligent
brilliant

míngjìng

明净

[明淨]

bright and clean
luminous

Amíng

阿明

[阿明]

Al-Amin

Míngxī

明溪

[明溪]

Mingxi, a county in Sanming City 三明市 ( Sānming Shì), Fujian

míngmèi

明媚

[明媚]

bright and beautiful

Míngjiào

明教

[明教]

Manichaeism

Gāomíng

高明

[高明]

Gaoming, a district of Foshan 佛山市 ( Foshán Shì), Guangdong

míngxīng

明星

[明星]

star; celebrity

biànmíng

辨明

[辨明]

to clarify
to distinguish
to elucidate

míngdìng

明订

[明訂]

see 訂明／订明 (dìngmíng)

rènmíng

认明

[認明]

to identify
to authenticate

zǎimíng

载明

[載明]

to state explicitly in writing
to specify
to stipulate

Dōngmíng

东明

[東明]

Dongming county in Heze 菏澤／菏泽 ( Hézé), Shandong

míngchè

明澈

[明澈]

clear
limpid

sōngmíng

松明

[松明]

pine torch

Míngjìng

明镜

[明鏡]

Der Spiegel

shénmíng

神明

[神明]

deities
gods

Nánmíng

南明

[南明]

Nanming District of Guiyang City 貴陽市／贵阳市 ( Guìyáng Shì), Guizhou

Míngdài

明代

[明代]

the Ming dynasty (1368-1644)

míngli

明里

[明里]

publicly; outwardly; professedly

zhùmíng

注明

[注明]

to clearly indicate

shèngmíng

圣明

[聖明]

enlightened sage
brilliant master (flattering words applied to ruler)

Níngmíng

宁明

[寧明]

Ningming county in Chongzuo 崇左 ( Chóngzuǒ), Guangxi

yīngmíng

英明

[英明]

wise
brilliant

Yángmíng

阳明

[陽明]

Yangming district of Mudanjiang city 牡丹江市, Heilongjiang

biāomíng

标明

[標明]

to mark
to indicate

míngzhàng

明杖

[明杖]

white cane (used by the blind)

Míng Qīng

明清

[明清]

the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties

wúmíng

无明

[無明]

avidya (Buddhism)
ignorance
delusion

shēngmíng

声明

[聲明]

to state
to declare
statement
declaration
CL:項／项 (xiàng),份 (fèn)

kāimíng

开明

[開明]

enlightened
open-minded
enlightenment

tiǎomíng

挑明

[挑明]

to illuminate
to open up (a topic)

tiānmíng

天明

[天明]

dawn
daybreak

Sīmíng

思明

[思明]

Siming, a district of Xiamen 廈門市／厦门市 ( Xiàmèn Shì), Fujian

míngr

明儿

[明兒]

(coll.) tomorrow
one of these days
some day

míngxī

明晰

[明晰]

clear; well-defined; limpid

pànmíng

判明

[判明]

to distinguish
to ascertain

fēnmíng

分明

[分明]

clear
distinct
evidently
clearly

biànmíng

辩明

[辯明]

to explain clearly
to elucidate

míngchá

明察

[明察]

to note clearly
to perceive

diǎnmíng

点明

[點明]

to point out

Míng Bào

明报

[明報]

Ming Pao newspaper (Hong Kong)

míngmíng

明明

[明明]

obviously
plainly
undoubtedly
definitely

fāmíng

发明

[發明]

to invent
an invention
CL:個／个 (gè)

Mínghé

明和

[明和]

Minghe, rail station in South Taiwan
Meiwa (Japanese reign name 1764-1772)
Meiwa (common name for Japanese companies or schools)

míngdá

明达

[明達]

reasonable; of good judgment

juémíng

决明

[決明]

(botany) cassia

Míngchū

明初

[明初]

the early Ming (i.e. from second half of 14th century)

míngzhāo

明朝

[明朝]

tomorrow morning
the following morning

cōngming

聪明

[聰明]

intelligent; clever; bright
acute (of sight and hearing)

míngchù

明处

[明處]

clear place
out in the open

gāomíng

高明

[高明]

brilliant; superior; wise

mínglìng

明令

[明令]

to decree

míngzi

明子

[明子]

see 松明 (sōngmíng)

míngnián

明年

[明年]

next year

míngshì

明示

[明示]

to state explicitly
to clearly indicate

míngfán

明矾

[明礬]

alum

tànmíng

探明

[探明]

to ascertain
to verify

míngtǐ

明体

[明體]

Mincho
Song font

shēnmíng

申明

[申明]

to declare
to aver
to state formally

zhāngmíng

彰明

[彰明]

to show clearly
to make public
obvious

jīngmíng

晶明

[晶明]

bright
shiny

yànmíng

验明

[驗明]

to ascertain
to identify
to verify (sb's identity etc)

yōumíng

幽明

[幽明]

the hidden and the visible; that which can be seen and that which cannot; darkness and light; night and day; wisdom and ignorance; evil and good; the living and the dead; men and ghosts

wēimíng

微明

[微明]

twilight

Míngrén

明仁

[明仁]

Akihito, personal name of the Heisei 平成 ( Píngchéng) emperor of Japan (1933-), reigned 1989-2019

Míngshuǐ

明水

[明水]

Mingshui county in Suihua 綏化／绥化, Heilongjiang

míngzhī

明知

[明知]

to be fully aware of
to know perfectly well

míngzhèng

明证

[明證]

clear proof

míngliǎo

明了

[明了]

to understand clearly
to be clear about
plain
clear
also written 明瞭／明了 (míngliǎo)

Kūnmíng

昆明

[昆明]

Kunming prefecture-level city and capital of Yunnan province in southwest China

dìngmíng

订明

[訂明]

to stipulate; to state expressly

Míngcháo

明朝

[明朝]

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

tōngmíng

通明

[通明]

brightly lit

jiānmíng

坚明

[堅明]

to consolidate and clarify

míngrì

明日

[明日]

tomorrow

Chóngmíng

崇明

[崇明]

Chongming island county, Shanghai

míngzǎo

明早

[明早]

tomorrow morning
tomorrow

mínghuǒ

明火

[明火]

flame
open fire

míngyù

明喻

[明喻]

simile

xuānmíng

宣明

[宣明]

to declare

míngliǎo

明了

[明瞭]

to understand clearly
to be clear about
plain
clear

zhǐmíng

指明

[指明]

to show clearly
to designate
to indicate

zhàomíng

照明

[照明]

lighting
illumination
to light up
to illuminate

shuōmíng

说明

[說明]

to explain
to illustrate
to indicate
to show
to prove
explanation
directions
caption
CL:個／个 (gè)

zhèngmíng

证明

[證明]

proof
certificate
identification
testimonial
CL:個／个 (gè)
to prove
to testify
to confirm the truth of

Yáo Míng

姚明

[姚明]

Yao Ming (1980-), retired Chinese basketball player, played for CBA Shanghai Sharks 1997-2002 and for NBA Houston Rockets 2002-2011

fùmíng

复明

[復明]

to regain one's eyesight
(astronomy) emersion

míngquè

明确

[明確]

clear-cut; definite; explicit
to clarify; to specify; to make definite

xiánmíng

贤明

[賢明]

wise and capable; sagacious

mínglǎng

明朗

[明朗]

bright
clear
obvious
forthright
open-minded
bright and cheerful

míngmiè

明灭

[明滅]

to flicker
to flash on and off
to brighten and fade

zhìmíng

质明

[質明]

at dawn

biǎomíng

表明

[表明]

to make clear
to make known
to state clearly
to indicate
known

míngjiāo

明胶

[明膠]

gelatin

míngzhū

明珠

[明珠]

pearl
jewel (of great value)

míngqú

明渠

[明渠]

(open, uncovered) water channel
canal

chāngmíng

昌明

[昌明]

flourishing; thriving

shīmíng

失明

[失明]

to lose one's eyesight
to become blind
blindness

jiǎnmíng

简明

[簡明]

simple and clear
concise

xùmíng

叙明

[敘明]

detailed accounting

míngmǎ

明码

[明碼]

non-secret code (such as Morse code, Chinese telegraph code, ASCII etc)
plaintext (cryptography)
(of prices) clearly marked

míngdé

明德

[明德]

highest virtue
illustrious virtue

míngzhì

明智

[明智]

sensible
wise
judicious
sagacious

míngxì

明细

[明細]

clear and detailed
definite
details (are as follows:)

Míngguāng

明光

[明光]

Mingguang, a county-level city in Chuzhou 滁州 ( Chúzhōu), Anhui

míngzhì

明志

[明志]

to demonstrate one's sincere convictions

guāngmíng

光明

[光明]

light
radiance
(fig.) bright (prospects etc)
openhearted

yánmíng

严明

[嚴明]

strict and impartial
firm

míngliàng

明亮

[明亮]

bright
shining
glittering
to become clear

míngjiǎo

明皎

[明皎]

clear and bright

Sōngmíng

嵩明

[嵩明]

Songming county in Kunming 昆明 ( Kūnmíng), Yunnan

míngsuì

明邃

[明邃]

glistening and piercing

chámíng

查明

[查明]

to investigate and find out
to ascertain

Qǐmíng

启明

[啟明]

Classical Chinese name for planet Venus in the east before dawn

jīngmíng

精明

[精明]

astute; shrewd; smart

Qīngmíng

清明

[清明]

Qingming or Pure Brightness, 5th of the 24 solar terms 二十四節氣／二十四节气 (èrshísìjiéqi) 5th-19th April
Pure Brightness Festival or Tomb Sweeping Day (in early April)

Sānmíng

三明

[三明]

Sanming, prefecture-level city in Fujian

bómíng

薄明

[薄明]

dim light
early dawn

yánmíng

言明

[言明]

to state clearly

tòumíng

透明

[透明]

transparent
(fig.) transparent; open to scrutiny

Jīnmíng

金明

[金明]

Jinming district of Kaifeng city 開封市／开封市 ( Kāifēngshì), Henan

Kǒngmíng

孔明

[孔明]

courtesy name of Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮／诸葛亮 ( Zhūgě Liàng)

míngwǎn

明晚

[明晚]

tomorrow evening

míngyán

明言

[明言]

to say clearly
to argue clearly
to pronounce
pronounced

xiǎnmíng

显明

[顯明]

obvious; evident; conspicuous; prominent; distinct; apparent

míngshǒu

明手

[明手]

dummy (in bridge)

Kūnmíngshì

昆明市

[昆明市]

Kunming, prefecture-level city and capital of Yunnan province in southwest China

míngtiānjiàn

明天见

[明天見]

see you tomorrow
(coll., jocular) food that passes through the digestive system more or less intact (esp. enoki mushrooms)

Cuī Mínghuì

崔明慧

[崔明慧]

Christine Choy (1964-), Chinese-American film director

Dàmínglì

大明历

[大明曆]

the 5th century Chinese calendar established by Zu Chongzhi 祖沖之／祖冲之

gǔwénmíng

古文明

[古文明]

ancient civilization

Chóngmíng Dǎo

崇明岛

[崇明島]

Chongming Island

Hēizé Míng

黑泽明

[黑澤明]

Kurosawa Akira (1910-1998) Japanese movie director

Yángmíng Shān

阳明山

[陽明山]

Mt Yangming in Hunan
Mt Yangming in north Taiwan, near Taibei

Míng Chéngzǔ

明成祖

[明成祖]

Ming Chengzu, temple name of third Ming Emperor Yongle 永樂／永乐 ( Yǒnglè)

Sōngmíngxiàn

嵩明县

[嵩明縣]

Songming county in Kunming 昆明 ( Kūnmíng), Yunnan

míngguānglán

明光蓝

[明光藍]

lavender blue

Míngsīkè

明斯克

[明斯克]

Minsk, capital of Belarus

Míngshuǐxiàn

明水县

[明水縣]

Mingshui county in Suihua 綏化／绥化, Heilongjiang

zhèngmínglì

证明力

[證明力]

probative value
strength of evidence in legal proof
relevance

Míngxiàolíng

明孝陵

[明孝陵]

Ming tombs in Nanjing, tomb of founding Ming emperor Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋 ( Zhū Yuánzhāng), a World Heritage site

Míngshān Qū

明山区

[明山區]

Mingshan, a district of Benxi 本溪市 ( Běnxi Shì), Liaoning

Míng Xuānzōng

明宣宗

[明宣宗]

temple name of fifth Ming emperor Xuande 宣德 ( Xuāndé)

mínghuǎnghuǎng

明晃晃

[明晃晃]

shining
bright

zhèngmíngshū

证明书

[證明書]

certificate

míngbǎizhe

明摆着

[明擺著]

evident
clear
undoubted

Hú Zhìmíng

胡志明

[胡志明]

Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969), former Vietnamese leader
see also 胡志明市 ( Hú Zhìmíng Shì)

bàntòumíng

半透明

[半透明]

translucent
semitransparent

míngxìnpiàn

明信片

[明信片]

postcard

Sīmíng Qū

思明区

[思明區]

Siming, a district of Xiamen 廈門市／厦门市 ( Xiàmèn Shì), Fujian

Zuǒ Qiūmíng

左丘明

[左丘明]

Zuo Qiuming or Zuoqiu Ming (556-451), famous blind historian from Lu 魯國／鲁国 ( Lǔguó) to whom the history Zuo Zhuan 左傳／左传 ( Zuǒ Zhuàn) is attributed

Huái'émíng

怀俄明

[懷俄明]

Wyoming, US state

Fú Míngxiá

伏明霞

[伏明霞]

Fu Mingxia (1978-), Chinese diving champion

shīmíngzhèng

失明症

[失明症]

blindness

kǒngmíngdēng

孔明灯

[孔明燈]

sky lantern (miniature hot-air balloon used during festivals)

Míngdézhèn

明德镇

[明德鎮]

Middlebury (name of town in Vermont)

Zhù Yǔnmíng

祝允明

[祝允明]

Zhu Yunming (1460-1526), Ming dynasty calligrapher

tòumíngjiāo

透明胶

[透明膠]

Scotch tape

Míng Rénzōng

明仁宗

[明仁宗]

Ming Renzong, temple name of fourth Ming emperor Zhu Gaochi 朱高熾／朱高炽 ( Zhū Gāochì)

Nánmíng Qū

南明区

[南明區]

Nanming District of Guiyang City 貴陽市／贵阳市 ( Guìyáng Shì), Guizhou

Níngmíngxiàn

宁明县

[寧明縣]

Ningming county in Chongzuo 崇左 ( Chóngzuǒ), Guangxi

Míngguāng Shì

明光市

[明光市]

Mingguang, a county-level city in Chuzhou 滁州 ( Chúzhōu), Anhui

gǎnmíngr

赶明儿

[趕明兒]

(coll.) some day
one of these days

diànzhàomíng

电照明

[電照明]

electric lighting

nòngmíngbai

弄明白

[弄明白]

to figure out how to do something

wénmínghuà

文明化

[文明化]

civilize

Míng Tàizǔ

明太祖

[明太祖]

Ming Taizu, temple name of first Ming emperor Hongwu 洪武 ( Hóngwǔ)

Wáng Yángmíng

王阳明

[王陽明]

Wang Yangming (1472-1529), Ming dynasty Neo-Confucian philosopher, influential in the School of Mind 心學／心学 (xīnxué)

Wén Zhēngmíng

文征明

[文徵明]

Wen Zhengming (1470-1559), Ming painter, one of Four great southern talents of the Ming 江南四大才子

Zhào Gōngmíng

赵公明

[趙公明]

Zhao Gongming, God of Wealth in the Chinese folk tradition and Taoism

míngxìbiǎo

明细表

[明細表]

schedule
subsidiary ledger
a detailed list

Shī Míngdé

施明德

[施明德]

Shih Ming-teh (1941-), Taiwanese politician, imprisoned 1962-1977 and 1980-1990 under the Guomindang, subsequently a leader of DPP 民進黨／民进党, in 2006 led protests against Chen Shui-Bian 陳水扁／陈水扁 ( Chén Shuǐbiǎn)

shuōmínghuì

说明会

[說明會]

information meeting

Hǎimíngwēi

海明威

[海明威]

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), American novelist and journalist

shēngmíngshū

声明书

[聲明書]

statement

Lǐ Míngbó

李明博

[李明博]

Lee Myung-bak (1941-), South Korean businessman, one-time chairman of Hyundai, president of South Korea 2008-2013

fāmíngjiā

发明家

[發明家]

inventor

tòumíngdù

透明度

[透明度]

transparency
(policy of) openness

Guō Jìngmíng

郭敬明

[郭敬明]

Guo Jingming (1983-), Chinese young-adult fiction writer and teen pop idol

Táo Yuānmíng

陶渊明

[陶淵明]

Tao Yuanming (c. 365-427), Jin dynasty writer and poet

Gāomíng Qū

高明区

[高明區]

Gaoming, a district of Foshan 佛山市 ( Foshán Shì), Guangdong

Xìmíngtǐ

细明体

[細明體]

Mincho narrow font

Běnjiémíng

本杰明

[本傑明]

Benjamin (person name)

sānmíngzhì

三明治

[三明治]

(loanword) sandwich

Táng Mínghuáng

唐明皇

[唐明皇]

Emperor Ming of Tang (685-762), also known as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 唐玄宗 ( Táng Xuánzōng), reigned 712-756

míngshílù

明实录

[明實錄]

annals of the Ming Dynasty 明朝 ( Míngcháo) (1368-1644)

Sānmíngshì

三明市

[三明市]

Sanming, prefecture-level city in Fujian

Shǐ Sīmíng

史思明

[史思明]

Shi Siming (703-761), military colleague of An Lushan 安祿山／安禄山 ( An Lùshān), participated in the 755-763 An-Shi Rebellion 安史之亂／安史之乱 ( An Shǐzhī Luàn)

zhàomíngdàn

照明弹

[照明彈]

flare; star shell

Bānyǎmíng

班雅明

[班雅明]

Benjamin (name)

Qīngmíngjié

清明节

[清明節]

Qingming or Pure Brightness Festival or Tomb Sweeping Day, celebration for the dead (in early April)

bùtòumíng

不透明

[不透明]

opaque

Míngxī Xiàn

明溪县

[明溪縣]

Mingxi, a county in Sanming City 三明市 ( Sānming Shì), Fujian

Dàmíng Hú

大明湖

[大明湖]

Daming Lake in Jinan 濟南／济南 ( Jǐnán), Shandong

Míng Wǔzōng

明武宗

[明武宗]

Ming Wuzong, temple name of eleventh Ming emperor Zhengde 正德 ( Zhèngdé)

míngrge

明儿个

[明兒個]

(coll.) tomorrow

Chén Jiǒngmíng

陈炯明

[陳炯明]

Chen Jiongming (1878-1933), a leading warlord of Guangdong faction, defeated in 1925 and fled to Hong Kong

Jīnmíngqū

金明区

[金明區]

Jinming district of Kaifeng city 開封市／开封市 ( Kāifēngshì), Henan

wénmíngbìng

文明病

[文明病]

lifestyle diseases

xiǎocōngming

小聪明

[小聰明]

clever-clever
clever in trivial matters
sharp but petty-minded

fāmíngrén

发明人

[發明人]

inventor

Yuánmíngyuán

圆明园

[圓明園]

Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace, destroyed by the British and French army in 1860

fāmíngzhě

发明者

[發明者]

inventor

bùmíngquè

不明确

[不明確]

indefinite
unclear

Míng Tiānqǐ

明天启

[明天啟]

Tianqi Emperor, reign name of fifteenth Ming emperor Zhu Youxiao 朱由校 ( Zhū Yóuxiào) (1605-1627), reigned 1620-1627, temple name 明熹宗 ( Míng Xīzōng)

dàmíngxiā

大明虾

[大明蝦]

king prawn

Guāngmíngjié

光明节

[光明節]

Hanukkah (Chanukah), 8 day Jewish holiday starting on the 25th day of Kislev (can occur from late Nov up to late Dec on Gregorian calendar)
also called 哈努卡節／哈努卡节 and simply 哈努卡

Chóngmíngxiàn

崇明县

[崇明縣]

Chongming island county, Shanghai

míngyǎnrén

明眼人

[明眼人]

perspicacious person
sb with a discerning eye
sighted person (as opposed to blind)

Míngcháotǐ

明朝体

[明朝體]

Mincho font

Mínggǔlǔ

明古鲁

[明古魯]

Bengkulu (Indonesian town on the south coast of Sumatra)

Dōngmíngxiàn

东明县

[東明縣]

Dongming county in Heze 菏澤／菏泽 ( Hézé), Shandong

Kūnmíng Hú

昆明湖

[昆明湖]

Kunming Lake

Hàn Míng Dì

汉明帝

[漢明帝]

Emperor Ming of Han (28-75), Western Han Dynasty Emperor 58-75

juémíngzǐ

决明子

[決明子]

(botany) cassia seed

Bómínghàn

伯明翰

[伯明翰]

Birmingham

Wú Tiānmíng

吴天明

[吳天明]

Wu Tianming (1939-), PRC film director

chángmíngdēng

长明灯

[長明燈]

altar lamp burning day and night

Yángmíngqū

阳明区

[陽明區]

Yangming district of Mudanjiang city 牡丹江市, Heilongjiang

míngguāngdù

明光度

[明光度]

luminosity

shuōmíngshū

说明书

[說明書]

(technical) manual
(book of) directions
synopsis (of a play or film)
specification (patent)
CL:本 (běn)

Míng Xīzōng

明熹宗

[明熹宗]

Ming Xizong, temple name of fifteenth Ming emperor Tianqi 明天啟／明天启 ( Míng Tiānqǐ)

qǐmíngxīng

启明星

[啟明星]

(astronomy) Venus

shuǎxiǎocōngming

耍小聪明

[耍小聰明]

to get smart
to resort to petty tricks

Míngdé Xuéyuàn

明德学院

[明德學院]

Middlebury College, private liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont

láilìbùmíng

来历不明

[來歷不明]

(idiom) of unknown origin; of dubious background

qì'àntóumíng

弃暗投明

[棄暗投明]

to renounce the dark and seek the light
to give up one's wrong way of life and turn to a better one

jīngshénwénmíng

精神文明

[精神文明]

spiritual culture

liánhéshēngmíng

联合声明

[聯合聲明]

joint declaration

shènfánnàmíng

胂凡纳明

[胂凡納明]

arsphenamine

míngzhīgùwèn

明知故问

[明知故問]

(idiom) to ask a question, already knowing the answer

Míngmò Qīngchū

明末清初

[明末清初]

late Ming and early Qing
around the middle of the 17th century

xiàluòbùmíng

下落不明

[下落不明]

unaccounted
unknown whereabouts

bùyánzìmíng

不言自明

[不言自明]

self-evident; needing no explanation (idiom)

míngyuèqīngfēng

明月清风

[明月清風]

see 清風明月／清风明月 (qīngfēngmíngyuè)

míngwénguīdìng

明文规定

[明文規定]

expressly stipulated (in writing)

jiǎndānmíngliǎo

简单明了

[簡單明瞭]

clear and simple
in simple terms

wùzhìwénmíng

物质文明

[物質文明]

material culture

míngrìhuánghuā

明日黄花

[明日黃花]

lit. chrysanthemums after the Double Ninth Festival (idiom)
fig. outdated
thing of the past
dead letter

mòmíngqímiào

莫明其妙

[莫明其妙]

variant of 莫名其妙 (mòmíngqímiào)

cíyuēzhǐmíng

词约指明

[詞約指明]

concise but unambiguous (idiom)

míngzhébǎoshēn

明哲保身

[明哲保身]

a wise man looks after his own hide (idiom)
to put one's own safety before matters of principle

bùmíngjiùlǐ

不明就里

[不明就裡]

not to understand the situation
unaware of the ins and outs

guāngmínglěiluò

光明磊落

[光明磊落]

open and candid (idiom); straightforward and upright

míngzhīgùfàn

明知故犯

[明知故犯]

deliberate violation (idiom); intentional crime

yànmíngzhèngshēn

验明正身

[驗明正身]

to identify
to verify sb's identity
identification

Míngnísūdá

明尼苏达

[明尼蘇達]

Minnesota, USA

sìdàfāmíng

四大发明

[四大發明]

the four great Chinese inventions: paper, printing, magnetic compass and gunpowder

lúnkuòxiānmíng

轮廓鲜明

[輪廓鮮明]

sharp image
clear-cut
in bold outline
in sharp relief

shìhòucōngming

事后聪明

[事後聰明]

wise after the event (idiom); with hindsight, one should have predicted it

sǐyīnbùmíng

死因不明

[死因不明]

unknown cause of death

míngzhū'àntóu

明珠暗投

[明珠暗投]

to cast pearls before swine (idiom)
not to get proper recognition for one's talents

míngméizhèngqǔ

明媒正娶

[明媒正娶]

to be officially wed

chángyènánmíng

长夜难明

[長夜難明]

lit. many nights under a harsh moon
long years of oppression (idiom)

juédǐngcōngming

绝顶聪明

[絕頂聰明]

highly intelligent; brilliant

bànmíngbùmiè

半明不灭

[半明不滅]

dull (lamplight)

chuāngmíngjījìng

窗明几净

[窗明几淨]

lit. clear window and clean table (idiom)
fig. bright and clean

chácháwéimíng

察察为明

[察察為明]

keenly observant of trivial details

xiānjiànzhīmíng

先见之明

[先見之明]

foresight

tòumíngyìngshā

透明硬纱

[透明硬紗]

organza (fabric)

mínggǎng'ànshào

明岗暗哨

[明崗暗哨]

both covert and undercover (officers) keeping watch (idiom)

Guāngmíng Rìbào

光明日报

[光明日報]

Guangming Daily, a Beijing newspaper

Dōngfāngwénmíng

东方文明

[東方文明]

Eastern civilization

lìngqǐnggāomíng

另请高明

[另請高明]

please find sb better qualified than me (idiom)

fúlāmínggē

弗拉明戈

[弗拉明戈]

flamenco (Tw) (loanword)

dēnghuǒtōngmíng

灯火通明

[燈火通明]

brightly lit

shēnfánnàmíng

砷凡纳明

[砷凡納明]

arsphenamine

Shèngduōmínggē

圣多明哥

[聖多明哥]

Santo Domingo, capital of Dominican Republic (Tw)

míngchá'ànfǎng

明察暗访

[明察暗訪]

open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret
taking information from all sides

yǎnmíngshǒukuài

眼明手快

[眼明手快]

sharp-sighted and deft

fólǎngmínggē

佛朗明哥

[佛朗明哥]

flamenco (Tw) (loanword)

yángguāngmíngmèi

阳光明媚

[陽光明媚]

the sun shines brightly (idiom)

qízhìxiānmíng

旗帜鲜明

[旗幟鮮明]

to show one's colors
to have a clear-cut stand (idiom)

Liǎnghéwénmíng

两河文明

[兩河文明]

Mesopotamian civilization

zhèngmíngwánbì

证明完毕

[證明完畢]

QED
end of proof (math.)

liǔ'ànhuāmíng

柳暗花明

[柳暗花明]

lit. the willow trees make the shade, the flowers give the light (idiom); at one's darkest hour, a glimmer of hope
light at the end of the tunnel

tòumíngchéngdù

透明程度

[透明程度]

transparency

míngmóuhàochǐ

明眸皓齿

[明眸皓齒]

to have bright eyes and white teeth

miǎnzéshēngmíng

免责声明

[免責聲明]

disclaimer

míngchá'ànfǎng

明查暗访

[明查暗訪]

open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret
taking information from all sides

qùxiàngbùmíng

去向不明

[去向不明]

missing
lost

yīngmíngguǒduàn

英明果断

[英明果斷]

wise and resolute

míngdáshìlǐ

明达事理

[明達事理]

reasonable
sensible

cōngmingcáizhì

聪明才智

[聰明才智]

intelligence and ability

xùxūmíngzhì

蓄须明志

[蓄鬚明志]

to grow a beard as a symbol of one's determination (as Mei Lanfang 梅蘭芳／梅兰芳 ( Méi Lánfāng) growing a beard and refusing to perform for the Japanese)

bùmíngjuélì

不明觉厉

[不明覺厲]

although I don't understand it, it seems pretty awesome (Internet slang)

Mínggǔlǔshì

明古鲁市

[明古魯市]

Bengkulu (Indonesian town on the south coast of Sumatra)

míngcháqiūháo

明察秋毫

[明察秋毫]

lit. seeing clearly the downy feathers of autumn (idiom, from Mencius)
fig. perceptive of even the finest detail

Hú Zhìmíng Shì

胡志明市

[胡志明市]

Ho Chi Minh City a.k.a. Saigon, Vietnam

fāmíngchuàngzào

发明创造

[發明創造]

to invent and innovate
inventions and innovations

chūshēngzhèngmíng

出生证明

[出生證明]

birth certificate
CL:張／张 (zhāng)

Duōmíngníjiā

多明尼加

[多明尼加]

(Tw) Dominican Republic

Míngzhì Wéixīn

明治维新

[明治維新]

Meiji Restoration (Japan, 1868)

bùmíngshìlǐ

不明事理

[不明事理]

not understanding things (idiom); devoid of sense

hòujiànzhīmíng

后见之明

[後見之明]

hindsight

chūnguāngmíngmèi

春光明媚

[春光明媚]

lovely spring sunshine

yǐsǐmíngzhì

以死明志

[以死明志]

to demonstrate one's sincerity by dying

xiānmínggèxìng

鲜明个性

[鮮明個性]

individuality
clear-cut personality

qīngzhèngliánmíng

清正廉明

[清正廉明]

upright and honest

àizēngfēnmíng

爱憎分明

[愛憎分明]

to make a clear difference between what one likes and what one hates
to have well-defined likes and dislikes

kāimíngjūnzhǔ

开明君主

[開明君主]

enlightened sovereign

zhèngmíngwénjiàn

证明文件

[證明文件]

identification document
documentary proof

xīnzhīdùmíng

心知肚明

[心知肚明]

to be well aware

míngchuāngjìngjī

明窗净几

[明窗淨几]

lit. clear window and clean table (idiom); fig. bright and clean (room)

céngcìfēnmíng

层次分明

[層次分明]

layered; structured; made up of distinct parts

jùtǐshuōmíng

具体说明

[具體說明]

to specify
specific details

láilùbùmíng

来路不明

[來路不明]

unidentified origin
no-one knows where it comes from
of dubious background

Yùshì Míngyán

喻世明言

[喻世明言]

another name for 古今小說／古今小说 ( Gǔjīn Xiǎoshuō), Stories Old and New by Feng Menglong 馮夢龍／冯梦龙 ( Féng Mènglóng)

bīngxuěcōngming

冰雪聪明

[冰雪聰明]

exceptionally intelligent (idiom)

jìngruòshénmíng

敬若神明

[敬若神明]

to hold sb in the same regard as one would a god (idiom)

míngjìnggāoxuán

明镜高悬

[明鏡高懸]

perspicacious and impartial in judgment (idiom)

liúliàngmíngxīng

流量明星

[流量明星]

(neologism c. 2014) celebrity with a huge, devoted fan base
celebrity with a huge following on social media

fèngruòshénmíng

奉若神明

[奉若神明]

to honor sb as a God (idiom); to revere
to worship
to deify
to make a holy cow of sth
to put sb on a pedestal

zhèngdàguāngmíng

正大光明

[正大光明]

just and honorable

Shèngfómíngjié

圣佛明节

[聖佛明節]

Fiesta de Saint Fermin, festival held annually in Pamplona, Spain

xièdúshénmíng

亵渎神明

[褻瀆神明]

to blaspheme
to commit sacrilege

zhǎngshàngmíngzhū

掌上明珠

[掌上明珠]

lit. a pearl in the palm (idiom)
fig. beloved person (esp. daughter)

kāizōngmíngyì

开宗明义

[開宗明義]

to declare at the outset (idiom)

límíngshífēn

黎明时分

[黎明時分]

daybreak
at the crack of dawn

Guāngmíngxīnqū

光明新区

[光明新區]

New Guangming district of Shenzhen City 深圳市 ( Shēnzhènshì), Guangdong

míngbiànshìfēi

明辨是非

[明辨是非]

to distinguish right and wrong (idiom)

míngmùzhāngdǎn

明目张胆

[明目張膽]

openly and without fear
brazenly

Wénmíng Xiǎoshǐ

文明小史

[文明小史]

Short History of Civilization, late Qing novel by Li Boyuan 李伯元 ( Lǐ Bóyuán) or Li Baojia 李寶嘉／李宝嘉 ( Lǐ Bǎojiā) describing the turmoil after the 1900 Eight-Nation Alliance 八國聯軍／八国联军 ( Bāguó Liánjūn)

tòumíngzhìsuān

透明质酸

[透明質酸]

hyaluronic acid
hyaluronan

shìfēifēnmíng

是非分明

[是非分明]

to distinguish right from wrong (idiom)

qīngfēngmíngyuè

清风明月

[清風明月]

lit. cool breeze and bright moon (idiom)
fig. peaceful and clear night
(allusively) living a solitary and quiet life

mínglǐ'ànlǐ

明里暗里

[明裡暗裡]

both publicly and privately; both overtly and secretly; both explicitly and implicitly

cōngmingjuédǐng

聪明绝顶

[聰明絕頂]

highly intelligent; brilliant

míngzhìzhījǔ

明智之举

[明智之舉]

sensible act

zìzuò-cōngmíng

自作聪明

[自作聰明]

(idiom) to think oneself clever

hēibáifēnmíng

黑白分明

[黑白分明]

lit. black and white clearly contrasted (idiom)
fig. unambiguous; black-and-white; in sharp contrast; to distinguish clearly right from wrong

yǐzīzhèngmíng

以资证明

[以資證明]

in support or witness hereof (idiom)

dàfàngguāngmíng

大放光明

[大放光明]

to shine brightly
(fig.) to show promise
to be on the up and up

Huái'émíngzhōu

怀俄明州

[懷俄明州]

Wyoming, US state

bùshuōzìmíng

不说自明

[不說自明]

goes without saying; obvious; self-evident

open enquiries and secret search (idiom); to investigate openly and in secret
taking information from all sides

Jīng Wèifēnmíng

泾渭分明

[涇渭分明]

as rivers Jing and Wei separate clearly (idiom)
to be entirely different

dànbómíngzhì

淡泊明志

[淡泊明志]

living a simple life as one's ideal (idiom)

hàochǐmíngmóu

皓齿明眸

[皓齒明眸]

white teeth and bright eyes (idiom); lovely young woman

Yuánmò Míngchū

元末明初

[元末明初]

late Yuan and early Ming
mid 14th century

jiǎnmíng'èyào

简明扼要

[簡明扼要]

brief and to the point (idiom)
succinct

jīngmíngqiánggàn

精明强干

[精明強幹]

intelligent and capable (idiom)

cōngmingguòtóu

聪明过头

[聰明過頭]

too clever by half; excessive ingenuity

bùmíngbùbái

不明不白

[不明不白]

(idiom) obscure; dubious; shady

guāngmíngzhèngdà

光明正大

[光明正大]

(of a person) honorable; not devious
(of a behavior) fair and aboveboard; without tricks; openly
(of a situation) out in the open

zìzhīzhīmíng

自知之明

[自知之明]

knowing oneself (idiom)
self-knowledge

ānfēitāmíng

安非他明

[安非他明]

amphetamine (loanword)

tújiěshuōmíng

图解说明

[圖解說明]

explanatory diagram

míngshēng'ànjiàng

明升暗降

[明升暗降]

(idiom) to kick sb upstairs

shēnmíngdàyì

深明大义

[深明大義]

to have a high notion of one's duty
to be highly principled

míngzhēng'àndòu

明争暗斗

[明爭暗鬥]

(idiom) to fight openly and maneuver covertly

jīngmíngnénggàn

精明能干

[精明能幹]

able and efficient

ěrcōngmùmíng

耳聪目明

[耳聰目明]

sharp ears and keen eyes (idiom)
keen and alert
perceptive

Shèngduōmínggè

圣多明各

[聖多明各]

Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic

Míngshísānlíng

明十三陵

[明十三陵]

the Ming tombs (mausoleum park of the Ming emperors in Changping district of Beijing)

shānmíngshuǐxiù

山明水秀

[山明水秀]

lit. verdant hills and limpid water (idiom)
fig. enchanting scenery

cōngminglínglì

聪明伶俐

[聰明伶俐]

bright; clever; quick-witted

shēnfènzhèngmíng

身份证明

[身份證明]

ID card
proof of identity

zhāngmíngjiàozhù

彰明较著

[彰明較著]

obvious
clear for all to see

zhāogǔshuōmíngshū

招股说明书

[招股說明書]

prospectus

zǒnghuìsānmíngzhì

总会三明治

[總會三明治]

(Tw) club sandwich (variant of 總匯三明治／总汇三明治 (zǒnghuìsānmíngzhì))

chūshēngzhèngmíngshū

出生证明书

[出生證明書]

birth certificate
CL:張／张 (zhāng)

gōngsīsānmíngzhì

公司三明治

[公司三明治]

club sandwich

Dōngfāng Míngzhū Tǎ

东方明珠塔

[東方明珠塔]

Oriental Pearl Tower

zǒnghuìsānmíngzhì

总汇三明治

[總匯三明治]

(Tw) club sandwich

Míngnísūdázhōu

明尼苏达州

[明尼蘇達州]

Minnesota

bùmíngfēixíngwù

不明飞行物

[不明飛行物]

unidentified flying object (UFO)

huángguānshàngdemíngzhū

皇冠上的明珠

[皇冠上的明珠]

the brightest jewel in the crown

Míngní'ābōlìsī

明尼阿波利斯

[明尼阿波利斯]

Minneapolis, a nameplace in the USA, notably in Minnesota

xuānshìgòngcízhèngmíng

宣誓供词证明

[宣誓供詞證明]

(law) affidavit; deposition

míngrénbùzuò'ànshì

明人不做暗事

[明人不做暗事]

an honest person does not act surreptitiously (idiom)

límíngqiándehēi'àn

黎明前的黑暗

[黎明前的黑暗]

darkness comes before dawn
things can only get better (idiom)

chuāizhemíngbaizhuānghútu

揣着明白装糊涂

[揣著明白裝糊塗]

to pretend to not know
to play dumb

fàngzhemíngbaizhuānghútu

放着明白装糊涂

[放著明白裝糊塗]

to pretend not to know (idiom)

qīnxiōngdì,míngsuànzhàng

亲兄弟，明算帐

[親兄弟，明算帳]

even with your own brother, keep clear accounts (idiom)

cōngmíngfǎnbèicōngmíngwù

聪明反被聪明误

[聰明反被聰明誤]

(idiom) a clever person may become the victim of his own ingenuity; cleverness may overreach itself; too smart for one's own good

xūyàoshìfāmíngzhīmǔ

需要是发明之母

[需要是發明之母]

Necessity is the mother of invention (European proverb).

wàiguórénjūzhùzhèngmíng

外国人居住证明

[外國人居住證明]

foreigner's certificate of residence

Dōngfāng Míngzhū Diànshì Tǎ

东方明珠电视塔

[東方明珠電視塔]

Oriental Pearl Television Tower

Duōmíngníjiā Gònghéguó

多明尼加共和国

[多明尼加共和國]

(Tw) Dominican Republic

Běnjiémíng· Fùlánkèlín

本杰明·富兰克林

[本傑明·富蘭克林]

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), American writer, scientist, inventor, politician and diplomat

cōngmingyīshì,měngdǒngyīshí

聪明一世，懵懂一时

[聰明一世，懵懂一時]

see 聰明一世，糊塗一時／聪明一世，糊涂一时 (cōngmingyīshì,hútuyīshí)

wùzhìwénmínghéjīngshénwénmíng

物质文明和精神文明

[物質文明和精神文明]

material and spiritual culture
matter and mind
material progress, ideology and culture (philosophic slogan, adopted into Deng Xiaoping theory from 1978)

jiāntīngzémíng,piānxìnzé'àn

兼听则明，偏信则暗

[兼聽則明，偏信則暗]

listen to both sides and you will be enlightened; heed only one side and you will remain ignorant (idiom)

Dá'ěrhǎn Màomíng'ānliánhéqí

达尔罕茂明安联合旗

[達爾罕茂明安聯合旗]

Darhan Muming'an united banner in Baotou 包頭／包头 ( Bāotóu), Inner Mongolia

bīngtànbùyán,lěngrèzìmíng

冰炭不言，冷热自明

[冰炭不言，冷熱自明]

ice or coals, whether hot or cold goes without saying (idiom); fig. sincerity is not expressed in words

míngqiāngyìduǒ,ànjiànnánfáng

明枪易躲，暗箭难防

[明槍易躲，暗箭難防]

lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (idiom); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies

cōngmingyīshì,hútuyīshí

聪明一世，糊涂一时

[聰明一世，糊塗一時]

(idiom) even the wisest can have a momentary lapse in judgment; every man has a fool in his sleeve

míngqiānghǎoduǒ,ànjiànnánfáng

明枪好躲，暗箭难防

[明槍好躲，暗箭難防]

lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (idiom); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies

míngxiūzhàndào,àndù Chéncāng

明修栈道，暗渡陈仓

[明修棧道，暗渡陳倉]

lit. repair the plank road by day while secretly crossing the Wei River 渭河 ( Wèi Hé) at Chencang (idiom, refers to a stratagem used by Liu Bang 劉邦／刘邦 ( Liú Bāng) in 206 BC against Xiang Yu 項羽／项羽 ( Xiàng Yǔ) of Chu)
fig. to feign one thing while doing another
to cheat under cover of a diversion

zhīrénzhězhì,zìzhīzhěmíng

知人者智，自知者明

[知人者智，自知者明]

those who understand others are clever, but those who know themselves are truly wise (idiom, from Laozi's 道德經／道德经 ( Dàodéjīng)

míngzhīshānyǒuhǔ,piānxiànghǔshānxíng

明知山有虎，偏向虎山行

[明知山有虎，偏向虎山行]

lit. to willfully go towards the mountain although knowing that it has tigers (idiom)
fig. to take a risk despite knowing the dangers

jīguānsuànjìntàicōngming,fǎnsuànleqīngqīngxìngmìng

机关算尽太聪明，反算了卿卿性命

[機關算盡太聰明，反算了卿卿性命]

if one is too calculating, it will be the cause of one's own undoing (famous line in "A Dream of Red Mansions" 紅樓夢／红楼梦 ( Hónglóu Mèng))