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分明 (fēn míng) — (adjective) clear, distinct; (adverb) evidently, clearly; (used to emphasize a fact that contradicts an expectation or claim)

Definition

分明 can be an adjective ('clear, distinct') or, more distinctively, an adverb stressing a fact that contradicts what someone claims ('clearly, evidently'). Stronger and more emphatic than 明显 or 显然.

adjective
cleardistinct
adverb
evidentlyclearly(used to emphasize a fact that contradicts an expectation or claim)

Examples

  • 分明，。
    Tā fēn míng zhī dào jīn tiān yào kāi huì, què shuō bú jì de le.
    He clearly knew there was a meeting today, yet said he didn't remember.
  • 分明，。
    Zhè fēn míng shì nǐ de cuò, bú yào tuī gěi bié rén.
    This is clearly your fault; don't blame it on others.
  • 分明。
    Zhè fú shān shuǐ huà céng cì hěn fēn míng.
    This landscape painting has very distinct layers.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

分fēndistinguish
明míngclear

分 (distinguish) and 明 (clear) both point to clarity, so the word means clear or evidently.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

明 combines 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), showing the sun just rising while the moon has not yet set, or two bright objects in the sky, to express brightness.

Open 明 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Good & Bad

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