明明

míngmíng

adverb HSK 5 #4,475

Meanings

Doubling 明 (clear) intensifies it — 'clearly, obviously.'

你明明知道答案，为什么不说？

Nǐ míngmíng zhīdào dá'àn, wèishénme bùshuō?

You obviously know the answer — why won't you say?

明明是你的错，你还不承认。

Míngmíng shì nǐ de cuò, nǐ hái bù chéngrèn.

It's clearly your fault, yet you still won't admit it.

他明明答应了，后来又反悔了。

Tā míngmíng dāyìng le, hòulái yòu fǎnhuǐ le.

He clearly agreed, but later went back on his word.

usage

明明 often implies frustration or contradiction — the speaker is pointing out something that should be obvious but is being denied or ignored.

grammar

Typically placed before the verb/adjective: 明明 + verb/adj + 却/可是/还... (yet/but/still...)

明 míng