明白

míngbai

verb HSK 1 #175

Meanings

Both characters relate to clarity and brightness — when something is bright and clear, you understand it.

你明白了吗？

Nǐ míngbai le ma?

Do you understand?

我明白了。

Wǒ míngbai le.

I understand.

请说明白一点。

Qǐng shuō míngbai yìdiǎn.

Please explain more clearly.

usage

明白 vs 懂: both mean 'understand,' but 明白 emphasizes clarity ('it's clear to me'), while 懂 emphasizes comprehension ('I get it').

明 míng

白 bái