明 (míng) - bright & clear

明Tone 2

míng ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 日

妙慕

明 · míng

bright;

clear;

intelligent;

to understand;

next (day, year, etc.

);

the Ming dynasty

brightclearintelligent

Usage highlights

brighttomorrowunderstandintelligentclear and distinctMing dynasty

Synonyms

  • 亮— bright, shining
  • 清— clear, distinct
  • 智— wise, intelligent

Antonyms

  • 暗— dark, dim
  • 昏— dusk, dim, confused
  • 昧— obscure, ignorant

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sun is very bright (太阳很明亮).
  • I understand your meaning (我明白你的意思).
  • Tomorrow we will go to the park (明天我们去公园).
  • He is a very intelligent person (他是个很聪明的人).

Collocations

  • bright(明亮)
  • tomorrow(明天)
  • understand(明白)
  • intelligent(聪明)
  • clear and distinct(明瞭)
  • Ming dynasty(明朝)

Idioms

  • Wise and farsighted(明察秋毫)
  • Open and aboveboard(光明正大)
  • Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy(知己知彼，百战不殆)
  • Bright and beautiful(明眸皓齿)
  • Distinguishing right from wrong(明辨是非)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the most positive and auspicious characters in Chinese culture, representing light, wisdom and clarity.
  • The character combines sun (日) and moon (月), symbolizing eternal brightness and the union of yin and yang.
  • The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) was one of China's most prosperous and culturally significant periods.

FAQ