阐明 (chǎnmíng)

阐明 means to clarify or elucidate, particularly to make an obscure or complex concept clear and understandable. It suggests bringing light to something that was previously unclear or misunderstood. The word is formal and is most commonly used in academic, political, and professional discourse when explaining principles, positions, or arguments.

Meanings

[v] to clarify; to elucidate; to make clear
[v] to illuminate; to shed light on (a concept or principle)

Example Sentences

学者在演讲中系统地阐明了儒家思想的现代价值。 Xuézhě zài yǎnjiǎng zhōng xìtǒng de chǎnmíngle rújiā sīxiǎng de xiàndài jiàzhí. The scholar systematically elucidated the modern value of Confucian thought in the lecture.

这篇文章旨在阐明两种理论之间的根本分歧。 Zhè piān wénzhāng zhǐ zài chǎnmíng liǎng zhǒng lǐlùn zhījiān de gēnběn fēnqí. This article aims to clarify the fundamental divergences between the two theories.

部长在新闻发布会上阐明了政府的政策立场。 Bùzhǎng zài xīnwén fābùhuì shàng chǎnmíngle zhèngfǔ de zhèngcè lìchǎng. The minister elucidated the government's policy position at the press conference.

导师要求学生在开题报告中充分阐明研究的理论依据。 Dǎoshī yāoqiú xuésheng zài kāití bàogào zhōng chōngfèn chǎnmíng yánjiū de lǐlùn yījù. The supervisor required students to fully clarify the theoretical basis of the research in their proposal.

哲学家用大量篇幅阐明了自由意志与决定论的关系。 Zhéxuéjiā yòng dàliàng piānfú chǎnmíngle zìyóu yìzhì yǔ juédìnglùn de guānxi. The philosopher used extensive text to elucidate the relationship between free will and determinism.

这份声明阐明了双方合作的原则与边界。 Zhè fèn shēngmíng chǎnmíngle shuāngfāng hézuò de yuánzé yǔ biānjiè. This statement clarified the principles and boundaries of cooperation between both parties.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
阐明立场	to clarify one's position
阐明原则	to elucidate principles
阐明观点	to make one's views clear
充分阐明	to fully clarify

Usage Notes

阐明 is a formal, written-register verb. It differs from 说明 (shuōmíng) in that 说明 is neutral and everyday, while 阐明 carries a stronger sense of illuminating something complex or debated. It also differs from 阐述 (chǎnshù), which emphasizes elaboration and detailed exposition, while 阐明 emphasizes the result: making something clear. Use 阐明 when the goal is to resolve ambiguity or establish clarity.

The word often takes abstract nouns as its object: 立场 (position), 原则 (principles), 观点 (viewpoints), 关系 (relationship). It frequently appears in academic papers and official statements in patterns like 旨在阐明… (aimed at clarifying…) or 充分阐明… (fully clarify…).

Memory Hook

阐 (to open up, explain) + 明 (bright, clear): "opening up the darkness to make something bright and clear."