明明 míngmíng

明明（míngmíng）means “明明: clearly / plainly (it is so), yet… — sets up a contrast”. 明明 asserts that a fact is obviously true, placed after the subject and before the verb. Formation: 主语 + 明明 + …,却 / 可 / 为什么 …

明明: clearly / plainly (it is so), yet… — sets up a contrast

HSK5

Formation

主语 + 明明 + …,却 / 可 / 为什么 …

Explanation

明明 asserts that a fact is obviously true, placed after the subject and before the verb. It sets up a contradiction: what obviously IS the case clashes with what follows (an unexpected act, or a question of why). The second clause usually has 却/可/怎么/为什么, and the tone carries surprise, doubt, or complaint.

Examples

他 明明 知道，却装作不知道。
tā míngmíng zhīdào, què zhuāngzuò bù zhīdào.
He clearly knows, yet pretends not to.
你 明明 答应了我，为什么不来？
nǐ míngmíng dāying le wǒ, wèishénme bù lái?
You clearly promised me — why didn't you come?

Note

Almost always followed by a contrast (却/可/为什么). Shows the speaker's disbelief or complaint.

FAQ

明明 — what does it mean and how is it used?

明明: clearly / plainly (it is so), yet… — sets up a contrast. 明明 asserts that a fact is obviously true, placed after the subject and before the verb. It sets up a contradiction: what obviously IS the case clashes with what follows (an unexpected act, or a question of why). The second clause usually has 却/可/怎么/为什么, and the tone carries surprise, doubt, or complaint.

明明 — how do you form it?

主语 + 明明 + …,却 / 可 / 为什么 …

明明 — any usage notes?

Almost always followed by a contrast (却/可/为什么). Shows the speaker's disbelief or complaint.

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