About
明, meaning "bright" or "to understand", is an ideogram formed by placing 日 (sun) beside 月 (moon). This combination of the two brightest celestial bodies represents brilliant illumination and abundant light. The concept of physical brightness naturally extended to metaphorical clarity, giving the character meanings related to intellectual brilliance, clear vision, and the ability to comprehend a subject fully. Thus, 明 is commonly used in words concerning intelligence, explicit explanations, the future (as in "tomorrow"), and the absence of darkness or ambiguity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
明天是周一。
我明白你的意思。
这个房间很明亮。
请明确你的目标。
他发明了新机器。
我们需要更明确的计划。
明天如果天气晴朗，我们就去公园。
科学家们正在研究如何利用太阳能来发明更环保的能源。