明确 (míngquè)

Describes something that is clear, definite, and leaves no room for ambiguity -- also used as a verb meaning to state or establish something clearly.

Meanings

[adjective] clear, explicit, definite, unambiguous
[verb] to clarify, to define clearly, to make explicit

Example Sentences

合同中应明确双方的权利和义务。 Hétong zhōng yīng míngquè shuāngfāng de quánlì hé yìwù. The contract should clearly specify the rights and obligations of both parties.

领导明确表示，这项决定不会更改。 Lǐngdǎo míngquè biǎoshì, zhè xiàng juédìng bù huì gēnggǎi. The leader clearly stated that this decision will not be changed.

你能不能明确一下你的要求？ Nǐ néng bùnéng míngquè yīxià nǐ de yāoqiú? Could you clarify your requirements?

这份报告对问题的分析非常明确，逻辑清晰。 Zhè fèn bàogào duì wèntí de fēnxī fēicháng míngquè, luójí qīngxī. The analysis of the issue in this report is very clear and logically coherent.

政策文件明确规定了申请资格的具体条件。 Zhèngcè wénjiàn míngquè guīdìngle shēnqǐng zīgé de jùtǐ tiáojiàn. The policy document clearly specifies the specific conditions for eligibility.

在项目启动前，团队需要明确各自的职责分工。 Zài xiàngmù qǐdòng qián, tuánduì xūyào míngquè gèzì de zhízé fēngōng. Before the project launches, the team needs to clearly define each person's responsibilities.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
明确表示 (míngquè biǎoshì)	to clearly state/indicate
明确规定 (míngquè guīdìng)	to clearly stipulate
明确目标 (míngquè mùbiāo)	to define a clear goal
明确立场 (míngquè lìchǎng)	to take a clear stance
明确责任 (míngquè zérèn)	to clearly define responsibilities
不够明确 (bùgòu míngquè)	not clear enough, ambiguous

Usage Notes

明确 is more formal and definitive than 清楚 (qīngchǔ, clear/understandable). While 清楚 often describes something that is easy to understand, 明确 emphasizes that something is stated without any ambiguity or room for misinterpretation. In official documents, laws, and regulations, 明确规定 (clearly stipulates) is a standard phrase.

As a verb, 明确 is transitive and takes an object: 明确目标 (to clearly define the goal), 明确责任 (to clearly assign responsibility). This verbal use is particularly common in organizational and policy contexts.

Memory Hook

明 = bright (sun + moon together = maximum light). 确 = certain/solid (a stone that does not move). Something 明确 is as bright as the sun and moon and as solid as a rock -- there is no ambiguity.