明显 (míngxiǎn)

明显 describes something that is clear, obvious, or easy to perceive. It is used to highlight that a fact, difference, improvement, or problem is apparent and not difficult to notice. It often indicates a significant degree of change or contrast.

Meanings

[adjective] Obvious; evident; marked; noticeable; apparent.

Example Sentences

经过一个学期的努力，她的成绩有了明显的提高。 Jīngguò yī gè xuéqī de nǔlì, tā de chéngjì yǒu le míngxiǎn de tígāo. After one semester of hard work, her grades showed a marked improvement.

两种方案之间的差异非常明显，不难做出选择。 Liǎng zhǒng fāng'àn zhī jiān de chāyì fēicháng míngxiǎn, bù nán zuòchū xuǎnzé. The difference between the two plans is very obvious, and it is not hard to make a choice.

空气污染对市民健康造成了明显的负面影响。 Kōngqì wūrǎn duì shìmín jiànkāng zàochéng le míngxiǎn de fùmiàn yǐngxiǎng. Air pollution has had a clearly evident negative impact on the health of city residents.

他的态度发生了明显变化，开始更加积极地配合团队工作。 Tā de tàidù fāshēng le míngxiǎn biànhuà, kāishǐ gèngjiā jījí de pèihé tuánduì gōngzuò. His attitude underwent a marked change; he began cooperating with the team more proactively.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
明显提高	marked improvement
明显差距	obvious gap
明显变化	noticeable change
明显影响	evident impact
非常明显	very obvious

Usage Notes

明显 can function both attributively (明显的变化) and predicatively (变化很明显). As an adverb it becomes 明显地 or more commonly just 明显 placed before a verb: 效果明显改善了 (the effect has clearly improved). It is slightly more formal than 很清楚 (very clear) and implies that the evidence is visible enough for any reasonable person to see.

Memory Hook

明 means "bright/clear" and 显 means "to appear/manifest." Something 明显 is brightly clear and fully manifested — it shines so obviously that no one could miss it.