明明

míngmíng

adverb HSK 5 #4,475

Meanings

Doubling 明 intensifies it - 'clearly, obviously.'

HSK 4

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?

HSK 4

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.

HSK 7-9

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