Wikimore

Historical forms of the character 明
Shang	Western Zhou	Warring States	Shuowen Jiezi (compiled in Han)		Liushutong (compiled in Ming)
Oracle bone script	Bronze inscriptions	Chu slip and silk script	Ancient script	Small seal script	Transcribed ancient scripts

Characters in the same phonetic series (明) (Zhengzhang, 2003)

	Old Chinese
莔	mraːŋ, qʰɯd
明	*mraŋ
盟	mraŋ, mraːŋs
萌	*mreːŋ
奣	*ʔmraːŋʔ

Ideogrammic compound (會意 / 会意)Category:Han ideogrammic compounds#日04: 日 (“sun”) + 月 (“moon”) – the sun just rising and the moon not yet set – dawn (天明 (tiānmíng)). Alternatively, it may be interpreted as two bright celestial bodies – bright. This form was already found in the oracle bone script and was prevalent throughout the eras.

Three other forms were found in the oracle bone script:

朙 < 囧 (“window”) + 月 – the moon shining through a window – moonlight. This form was also prevalent in the ancient scripts and was considered to be the standard form in Shuowen. See this form's entry for its historical forms.
眀 (míng) < 目 (“eye”) + 月 – bright eyes. This form was rarely attested, so it is still uncertain whether this form is actually equivalent to 明. It reappeared in the bamboo script of the Qin dynasty, but this was probably a corruption of 朙.
𤰾 < 田 + 月 – probably a corruption of the above forms.

Etymology 1

Of either Proto-Sino-Tibetan Category:Chinese terms inherited from Proto-Sino-Tibetan#日04 Category:Chinese terms derived from Proto-Sino-Tibetan#日04 origin, compare

Tibetan མདངས (mdangs, “facial color, appearance, brightness”) (Bodman, 1980), or
Proto-Sino-Tibetan Category:Chinese terms inherited from Proto-Sino-Tibetan#日04 Category:Chinese terms derived from Proto-Sino-Tibetan#日04 *brwaŋ (“loud; bright”) (STEDT); making it cognate with Burmese ပြင်း (prang:, “acute; violent”), Burmese ပြောင် (praung, “to shine”).

Or from Austroasiatic Category:Chinese terms derived from Austroasiatic languages#日04, cognate with 亮 (OC *raŋs, “bright”) (Schuessler, 2007). For more see 亮 (OC *raŋs).

盟 (OC *mraŋ, *mraːŋs, “covenant”) is a derivative (Schuessler, 2007).

Pronunciation

Mandarin
(Standard)
(Pinyin): míng (ming²Category:Mandarin links with redundant target parameters#明)

(Zhuyin): ㄇㄧㄥˊ

(Chengdu, Sichuanese Pinyin): min²

(Xi'an, Guanzhong Pinyin): míng

(Nanjing, Nanjing Pinyin): mín / mén

(Dungan, Cyrillic and Wiktionary): мин (min, I)
Cantonese
(Guangzhou–Hong Kong, Jyutping): ming⁴

(Dongguan, Jyutping++): meang⁴

(Taishan, Wiktionary): men³
Gan (Wiktionary): min⁴ / miang⁴
Hakka
(Sixian, PFS): mìn / miàng / màng

(Hailu, HRS): min / miang / mang

(Meixian, Guangdong): min² / miang²
Jin (Wiktionary): ming¹ / mi¹
Northern Min (KCR): mâng / mêng
Eastern Min (BUC): màng / mìng
Puxian Min (Pouseng Ping'ing): ma² / mia² / mie² / ming²
Southern Min
(Hokkien, POJ): bêng / bîn / miâ / mê / mêe / mî / môa / mâ

(Teochew, Peng'im): mêng⁵ / mê⁵ / mia⁵ / man³ / muan³

(Leizhou, Leizhou Pinyin): ming⁵
Southern Pinghua (Nanning, Jyutping++): mang⁴
Wu (Wugniu)
- (Northern): ⁶men / ²men / ⁴meen / ⁶min / ²min
- (Jinhua): ²min
Xiang (Changsha, Wiktionary): min²

Mandarin
- (Standard Chinese)⁺
  - Hanyu Pinyin: míng
  - Zhuyin: ㄇㄧㄥˊ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: míng
  - Wade–Giles: ming²
  - Yale: míng
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: ming
  - Palladius: мин (min)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /miŋ³⁵/
- (Standard Chinese, erhua-ed) (明兒 / 明儿)
  - Hanyu Pinyin: míngr
  - Zhuyin: ㄇㄧㄥˊㄦ
  - Tongyong Pinyin: míngr
  - Wade–Giles: ming²-ʼrh
  - Yale: míngr
  - Gwoyeu Romatzyh: miengl
  - Palladius: минр (minr)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /miɤ̯̃ɻ³⁵/
  - Homophones:
    ^edit
    ^edit
    名兒 / 名儿
    明兒 / 明儿Category:Mandarin terms with homophones

Note: míngr - "tomorrow".

- (Chengdu)
  - Sichuanese Pinyin: min²
  - Scuanxua Ladinxua Xin Wenz: min
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /min²¹/
- (Xi'an)
  - Guanzhong Pinyin: míng
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /miŋ²⁴/
- (Nanjing)
  - Nanjing Pinyin: mín / mén
  - Nanjing Pinyin (numbered): min² / men²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /mĩ²⁴/, /mə̃²⁴/
- (Dungan)
  - Cyrillic and Wiktionary: мин (min, I)
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /miŋ²⁴/
  (Note: Dungan pronunciation is currently experimental and may be inaccurate.)
Cantonese
- (Standard Cantonese, Guangzhou–Hong Kong)
  - Jyutping: ming⁴
  - Yale: mìhng
  - Cantonese Pinyin: ming⁴
  - Guangdong Romanization: ming⁴
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /mɪŋ²¹/
- (Dongguan, Guancheng)
  - Jyutping++: meang⁴
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /məŋ²¹/
- (Taishanese, Taicheng)
  - Wiktionary: men³
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ᵐben²²/
Gan
- (Nanchang)
  - Wiktionary: min⁴ / miang⁴
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /min³⁵/, /miaŋ³⁵/
Hakka
- (Sixian, incl. Miaoli and Neipu)
  - Pha̍k-fa-sṳ: mìn / miàng / màng
  - Hakka Romanization System: min^ˇ / miang^ˇ / mang^ˇ
  - Hagfa Pinyim: min² / miang² / mang²
  - Sinological IPA: /min¹¹/, /mi̯aŋ¹¹/, /maŋ¹¹/
- (Hailu, incl. Zhudong)
  - Hakka Romanization System: min / miang / mang
  - Sinological IPA: /min⁵⁵/, /miaŋ⁵⁵/, /maŋ⁵⁵/
- (Meixian)
  - Guangdong: min² / miang²
  - Sinological IPA: /min¹¹/, /miaŋ¹¹/

Note:

mìn - literary;
miàng, màng - vernacular.

Jin
- (Taiyuan)⁺
  - Wiktionary: ming¹ / mi¹
  - Sinological IPA (old-style): /miŋ¹¹/, /mi¹¹/

Note: mi1 - in 精明.

Northern Min
- (Jian'ou)
  - Kienning Colloquial Romanized: mâng / mêng
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /maŋ³³/, /meiŋ³³/
Eastern Min
- (Fuzhou)
  - Bàng-uâ-cê: màng / mìng
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /maŋ⁵³/, /miŋ⁵³/

Note:

màng - vernacular;
mìng - literary.

Puxian Min
- (Putian, Jiangkou, Nanri, Donghai)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: ma²
  - Báⁿ-uā-ci̍: má
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ma¹³/
- (Xianyou, Youyang, Fengting)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: ma²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /ma²⁴/
- (Putian, Nanri, Donghai)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: mia²
  - Báⁿ-uā-ci̍: miá
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /mia¹³/
- (Xianyou, Youyang, Fengting)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: mia²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /mia²⁴/
- (Jiangkou)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: mie²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /mie¹³/
- (Putian, Jiangkou, Nanri, Donghai)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: ming²
  - Báⁿ-uā-ci̍: míng
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /miŋ¹³/
- (Xianyou, Youyang, Fengting)
  - Pouseng Ping'ing: ming²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /miŋ²⁴/

Note:

ma2 - vernacular (e.g. 明膠, 明年);
mia2/mie2 - vernacular (e.g. 明柴, 清明);
ming2 - literary (e.g. 明儂).

Southern Min
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, General Taiwanese, Penang)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: bêng
  - Tâi-lô: bîng
  - Phofsit Daibuun: beeng
  - Sinological IPA (Kaohsiung): /biɪŋ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Penang): /beŋ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Zhangzhou): /biɪŋ¹³/
  - Sinological IPA (Xiamen, Quanzhou, Taipei): /biɪŋ²⁴/
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: bîn
  - Tâi-lô: bîn
  - Phofsit Daibuun: biin
  - Sinological IPA (Xiamen, Quanzhou, Taipei): /bin²⁴/
  - Sinological IPA (Kaohsiung): /bin²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Zhangzhou): /bin¹³/
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, General Taiwanese)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: miâ
  - Tâi-lô: miâ
  - Phofsit Daibuun: miaa
  - Sinological IPA (Zhangzhou): /miã¹³/
  - Sinological IPA (Kaohsiung): /miã²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Xiamen, Quanzhou, Taipei): /miã²⁴/
- (Hokkien: Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Yilan, Tainan, Taichung)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: mê
  - Tâi-lô: mê
  - Phofsit Daibuun: mee
  - Sinological IPA (Kaohsiung): /mẽ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Xiamen, Yilan, Tainan): /mẽ²⁴/
- (Hokkien: Zhangzhou, Penang)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: mêe
  - Tâi-lô: mêe
  - Sinological IPA (Penang): /mɛ²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Zhangzhou): /mɛ̃¹³/
- (Hokkien: Tainan, Magong)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: mî
  - Tâi-lô: mî
  - Phofsit Daibuun: mii
  - Sinological IPA (Tainan): /mĩ²⁴/
- (Hokkien: Quanzhou, Taipei, Lukang, Sanxia, Hsinchu)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: môa
  - Tâi-lô: muâ
  - Phofsit Daibuun: moaa
  - Sinological IPA (Quanzhou, Taipei, Lukang): /muã²⁴/
- (Hokkien: variant in Taiwan)
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī: mâ
  - Tâi-lô: mâ
  - Phofsit Daibuun: maa
  - Sinological IPA (Kaohsiung): /mã²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Taipei): /mã²⁴/

Note:

bêng - literary;
bîn, miâ - vernacular;
mê/mêe/mî/môa/mâ - vernacular (limited, e.g. 明年 (míngnián)).

- (Teochew)
  - Peng'im: mêng⁵ / mê⁵ / mia⁵ / man³ / muan³
  - Pe̍h-ōe-jī-like: mêng / mê / miâ / màⁿ / muàⁿ
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /meŋ⁵⁵/, /me⁵⁵/, /mia⁵⁵/, /mã²¹³/, /mũã²¹³/

Note:

mêng5 - literary;
mê5 - vernacular (limited, e.g. 明年 (míngnián));
man3, muan3 - vernacular (limited, e.g. 明起);
mia5 - vernacular (limited, e.g. 松柏明 (sêng5 bêh4 mia5, “pine torch”)).

- (Leizhou)
  - Leizhou Pinyin: ming⁵
  - Sinological IPA: /miŋ²²/
Southern Pinghua
- (Nanning Pinghua, Tingzi)
  - Jyutping++: mang⁴
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /məŋ²¹/
Wu
- (Northern: Shanghai)
  - Wugniu: ⁶men
  - MiniDict: men^去
  - Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): ³men
  - Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /mən²³/
- (Northern: Jiading, Songjiang, Chongming, Suzhou, Changzhou, Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Ningbo)
  - Wugniu: ²men
  - MiniDict: men^平
  - Sinological IPA (Jiading): /məŋ³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Songjiang): /məŋ³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Chongming): /ɦmən²⁴/
  - Sinological IPA (Suzhou): /mən²²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Changzhou): /məŋ¹³/
  - Sinological IPA (Jiaxing): /mən³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Hangzhou): /men²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Ningbo): /məŋ³¹³/
- (Northern: Shaoxing)
  - Wugniu: ⁴meen
  - MiniDict: men^上
  - Sinological IPA (Shaoxing): /mẽ¹¹³/
- (Northern: Shanghai)
  - Wugniu: ⁶min
  - MiniDict: min^去
  - Wiktionary Romanisation (Shanghai): ³min
  - Sinological IPA (Shanghai): /min²³/
- (Northern: Jiading, Songjiang, Chongming, Suzhou, Changzhou, Jiaxing, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhoushan)
  - Wugniu: ²min
  - MiniDict: min^平
  - Sinological IPA (Jiading): /miŋ³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Songjiang): /miŋ³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Chongming): /ɦmin²⁴/
  - Sinological IPA (Suzhou): /min²²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Changzhou): /miŋ¹³/
  - Sinological IPA (Jiaxing): /min³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Hangzhou): /min²³/
  - Sinological IPA (Shaoxing): /miŋ²³¹/
  - Sinological IPA (Ningbo): /miŋ³¹³/
  - Sinological IPA (Zhoushan): /miŋ²²/
- (Jinhua)
  - Wugniu: ²min
  - Sinological IPA (Jinhua): /miŋ³¹³/

Note:

men/meen - vernacular;
min - literary.

Xiang
- (Changsha)
  - Wiktionary: min²
  - Sinological IPA ^(key): /min¹³/

Middle Chinese: mjaeng

Rime
Character	明
Reading #	1/1
Initial (聲)	明 (4)
Final (韻)	庚 (111)
Tone (調)	Level (Ø)
Openness (開合)	Open
Division (等)	III
Fanqie	武兵切
Baxter	mjaeng
Reconstructions
Zhengzhang Shangfang	/mˠiæŋ/
Pan Wuyun	/mᵚiaŋ/
Shao Rongfen	/miaŋ/
Edwin Pulleyblank	/miajŋ/
Li Rong	/miɐŋ/
Wang Li	/mĭɐŋ/
Bernhard Karlgren	/mi̯ɐŋ/
Expected Mandarin Reflex	míng
Expected Cantonese Reflex	ming⁴

Old Chinese
(Baxter–Sagart): /*mraŋ/

(Zhengzhang): /*mraŋ/

Baxter–Sagart system 1.1 (2014)
Character	明
Reading #	1/1
Modern Beijing (Pinyin)	míng
Middle Chinese	‹ mjæng ›
Old Chinese	/*mraŋ/
English	bright
Notes for Old Chinese notations in the Baxter–Sagart system: * Parentheses "()" indicate uncertain presence; * Square brackets "[]" indicate uncertain identity, e.g. [t] as coda may in fact be -t or -p; Angle brackets "<>" indicate infix; * Hyphen "-" indicates morpheme boundary; * Period "." indicates syllable boundary.

Zhengzhang system (2003)
Character	明
Reading #	1/1
No.	9188
Phonetic component	明
Rime group	陽
Rime subdivision	0
Corresponding MC rime	明
Old Chinese	/*mraŋ/

Definitions

明Category:Chinese lemmas#日04 Category:Chinese hanzi#日04 Category:Chinese entries with incorrect language header#日04 Category:Pages with entries#明 Category:Pages with 10 entries#明

bright; light; brilliant
明月 ― míngyuè ― splendid moonCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
- 東方未明，顛倒衣裳。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, trad.]
  东方未明，颠倒衣裳。 [Pre-Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Dōngfāng wèimíng, diāndǎo yīcháng. [Pinyin]
  Before the east was bright,
  I was putting on my clothes upside down;
  Category:Classical Chinese terms with quotations
clear; limpid (transparent; light-conducting; not obscured)
窗明几淨／窗明几净 ― chuāngmíngjījìng ― a neat place (literally, “the window is clear, the desk is clean”)Category:Mandarin terms with usage examples
manifest; apparent (easily seen, perceived, or detected)
明顯／明显 ― míngxiǎn ― obviousCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

明瞭／明了 ― míngliǎo ― apparent; simple and clearCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

明槍易躲，暗箭難防 [MSC, trad.]
明枪易躲，暗箭难防 [MSC, simp.]
míng qiāng yì duǒ, ànjiàn nán fáng [Pinyin]
It is easy to dodge an open attack, but difficult to defend against a concealed one.
Category:Mandarin terms with usage examples
vision; sight (the ability to see)
失明 ― shīmíng ― to be blind; to lose eyesightCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
- 明足以察秋毫之末，而不見輿薪。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  明足以察秋毫之末，而不见舆薪。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
  Míng zúyǐ chá qiūháo zhī mò, ér bùjiàn yúxīn. [Pinyin]
  [M]y eyesight is sharp enough to examine the point of an autumn hair, but I do not see a cart-load of firewood.
  Category:Classical Chinese terms with quotations
(of vision) acute; sharp; keen
耳聰目明／耳聪目明 ― ěrcōngmùmíng ― sharp at hearing and visionCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
(figurative) intellect; knowledge; judgement; discernment; sensibility
無明／无明 ― wúmíng ― ignoranceCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
(figurative) intelligent; sensible; informed; wise
明智 ― míngzhì ― wise; sensibleCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

英明 ― yīngmíng ― wiseCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
- 王之不明，豈足福哉！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  王之不明，岂足福哉！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE
  Wáng zhī bùmíng, qǐ zú fú zāi! [Pinyin]
  How can a monarch's lack of judgement be a blessing? (Literally, "That the monarch is not wise, how can this amount to a blessing?")
  Category:Classical Chinese terms with quotations
to understand; to know
講明／讲明 ― jiǎngmíng ― to explainCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

明事理 ― míngshìlǐ ― sensible; capableCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

你唔明一定要出聲。 [Cantonese, trad.]
你唔明一定要出声。 [Cantonese, simp.]
nei⁵ m⁴ ming⁴ jat¹ ding⁶ jiu³ ceot¹ seng¹. [Jyutping]
If you don't understand you must speak up.
Category:Cantonese terms with usage examples

我真係唔係好明點解（……） [Cantonese, trad.]
我真系唔系好明点解（……） [Cantonese, simp.]
ngo⁵ zan¹ hai⁶ m⁴ hai⁶ hou² ming⁴ dim² gaai² (......) [Jyutping]
I really don't get why (…)
Category:Cantonese terms with usage examples
evidently
明知故問／明知故问 ― míngzhīgùwèn ― to ask intentionally a question one already knows the answer toCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
(literary Category:Chinese literary terms#日04) to make known
開宗明義／开宗明义 ― kāizōngmíngyì ― to make clear the main idea at the beginning in one's speech or writingCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
- 古之欲明明德於天下者，先治其國。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  古之欲明明德于天下者，先治其国。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE
  Gǔ zhī yù míng míngdé yú tiānxià zhě, xiān zhì qí guó. [Pinyin]
  The ancients who wished to illustrate illustrious virtue throughout the kingdom, first ordered well their own states.
  Category:Classical Chinese terms with quotations
next; following
明天 ― míngtiān ― tomorrowCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

明年 ― míngnián ― next year or the following yearCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples

今冬明春 ― jīn dōng míng chūn ― this winter and next springCategory:Mandarin terms with usage examples
(literary Category:Chinese literary terms#日04) tomorrow
- 明當渡京水，昨晚猶金谷。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
  明当渡京水，昨晚犹金谷。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
  From: 721, Wang Wei, 宿鄭州
  Míng dāng dù Jīngshuǐ, zuówǎn yóu Jīngǔ. [Pinyin]
  Tomorrow I shall cross Jingshui(the capital's river); last night I was still in Jingu.
  Category:Classical Chinese terms with quotations
(～朝) Ming dynasty
a surnameCategory:Chinese surnames#日04, listed as #111 on the Baijiaxing
明玉珍 ― Míng Yùzhēn ― Ming Yuzhen (late Yuan revolutionary)Category:Mandarin terms with usage examples
(～母) (Chinese linguistics Category:zh:Linguistics#日04) the Middle Chinese initial of 明 (MC mjaeng)

Compounds

三明 (sānmíng)
三明治 (sānmíngzhì)
不明 (bùmíng)
五明
休明
伯明罕 (Bómínghǎn)
修明 (xiūmíng)
催明鳥 / 催明鸟
光明 (guāngmíng)
光明燈 / 光明灯 (guāngmíngdēng)
克明 (kèmíng)
公明 (gōngmíng)
公生明
分明 (fēnmíng)
判明 (pànmíng)
剖明
半透明 (bàntòumíng)
南明 (Nánmíng)
呈明
哉生明
唐明皇 (Tángmínghuáng)
喪明 / 丧明
嚮明 / 向明
嚴明 / 严明 (yánmíng)
因明
圓明園 / 圆明园 (Yuánmíngyuán)
夜明 (yèmíng)
夜明珠 (yèmíngzhū)
大明 (Dàmíng)
大明星
大明曆 / 大明历
大明湖 (Dàmínghú)
天明 (tiānmíng)
失明 (shīmíng)
孔明 (Kǒngmíng)
孔明燈 / 孔明灯 (kǒngmíngdēng)
宣明 (xuānmíng)
小明 (Xiǎomíng)
小聰明 / 小聪明 (xiǎocōngmíng)
平明 (píngmíng)
幽明
幽明錄 / 幽明录
廉明 (liánmíng)
復明 / 复明 (fùmíng)
打明火
投明
指明 (zhǐmíng)
挑明
擺明 / 摆明 (bǎimíng)
敘明 / 叙明
啟明 / 启明 (qǐmíng)
文明 (wénmíng)
文明人 (wénmíngrén)
文明戲 / 文明戏 (wénmíngxì)
文明病
方明
旦明 (dànmíng)
明世 (míngshì)
明丟丟 / 明丢丢
明主 (míngzhǔ)
明了 (míngliǎo)
明亮 (míngliàng)
明亮亮
明亮隔
明人 (míngrén)
明令 (mínglìng)
明仔載 / 明仔载 (bîn-á-chài)
明信片 (míngxìnpiàn)
明倫堂 / 明伦堂
明允
明光 (Míngguāng)
明光光
明光瓦亮
明兒 / 明儿
明兩 / 明两
明公 (mínggōng)
明凈 / 明净
明分
明刑
明前
明升暗降
明君 (míngjūn)
明命
明哲 (míngzhé)
明喻 (míngyù)
明器 (míngqì)
明四家
明堂
明夜
明天 (míngtiān)
明太祖
明夷 (míngyí)
明妃
明如翦
明威
明媚 (míngmèi)
明密
明察 (míngchá)
明察暗訪 / 明察暗访 (míngchá'ànfǎng)
明察秋毫 (míngchá qiūháo)
明局
明師 / 明师
明幌幌
明年 (míngnián)
明府
明度 (míngdù)
明後 / 明后
明徹 / 明彻
明德 (míngdé)
明德茶
明心 (míngxīn)
明志 (míngzhì)
明忘八
明快 (míngkuài)
明恕
明悟
明慎
明慧 (mínghuì)
明打明
明挖
明搶 / 明抢
明據 / 明据
明擺著/明摆着
明教 (míngjiào)
明文 (míngwén)
明新
明斷 / 明断
明旌
明日 (míngrì)
明旦 (míngdàn)
明早 (míngzǎo)
昆明 (Kūnmíng)
明明 (míngmíng)
昌明 (chāngmíng)
昏明
昆明池
昆明湖 (Kūnmíng Hú)
明星 (míngxīng)
明時 / 明时
明晃晃 (mínghuǎnghuǎng)
明晨
明晰 (míngxī)
明智 (míngzhì)
明暗 (míng'àn)
明暢 / 明畅
明曉 / 明晓
明月 (míngyuè)
明月光
明朗 (mínglǎng)
明朝
明杖
明板
明格列爾 / 明格列尔 (Mínggéliè'ěr)
明槍 / 明枪
明槍易躲，暗箭難防 / 明枪易躲，暗箭难防 (míngqiāng yì duǒ, ànjiàn nán fáng)
明槍暗箭 / 明枪暗箭
明樓 / 明楼
明正
明水 (Míngshuǐ)
明決 / 明决
明汪汪
明河 (mínghé)
明法
明治 (Míngzhì)
明淨 / 明净 (míngjìng)
明溝 / 明沟
明滅 / 明灭 (míngmiè)
明滴溜
明潔 / 明洁
明澈 (míngchè)
明火 (mínghuǒ)
明燈 / 明灯 (míngdēng)
明燭 / 明烛
明燦燦 / 明灿灿
明牌
明牧
明王 (míngwáng)
明玕
明珠 (míngzhū)
明琅
明理 (mínglǐ)
明瑟
明璫 / 明珰
明瓦
明當 / 明当
明發 / 明发
明白
明白人 (míngbairén)
明盛
明盤 / 明盘 (míngpán)
明目 (míngmù)
明目張膽 / 明目张胆 (míngmùzhāngdǎn)
明眼
明眸 (míngmóu)
明眼人 (míngyǎnrén)
明瞭 / 明了 (míngliǎo)
明知 (míngzhī)
明知道
明石 (míngshí)
明確 / 明确 (míngquè)
明碼 / 明码 (míngmǎ)
明礬 / 明矾 (míngfán)
明示 (míngshì)
明祀
明神
明秀
明節 / 明节
明範 / 明范
明經 / 明经 (míngjīng)
明線 / 明线
明者
明聖 / 明圣
明肌雪
明膠 / 明胶 (míngjiāo)
明臺 / 明台
明良
明蘆 / 明芦 (Mínglú)
明處 / 明处
明蝦 / 明虾 (míngxiā)
明蟾 (míngchán)
明衣
明見 / 明见
明言 (míngyán)
明訓 / 明训
明詔 / 明诏
明詩 / 明诗
明說 / 明说 (míngshuō)
明誓
明調 / 明调
明講 / 明讲 (míngjiǎng)
明證 / 明证 (míngzhèng)
明豔 / 明艳 (míngyàn)
明貺 / 明贶
明賢 / 明贤
明輪 / 明轮
明辨 (míngbiàn)
明通 (Míngtōng)
明達 / 明达 (míngdá)
明道
明遠樓 / 明远楼
明銳 / 明锐 (míngruì)
明鏡 / 明镜 (míngjìng)
明鐙 / 明镫
明鑑 / 明鉴
明鑒 / 明鉴
明閃閃 / 明闪闪
明開 / 明开
明間 / 明间
明降
明靈 / 明灵 (mínglíng)
明靜 / 明静
明順 / 明顺
明顯 / 明显 (míngxiǎn)
明駝 / 明驼
明麗 / 明丽 (mínglì)
昭明 (zhāomíng)
春明
晨明 (chénmíng)
晦明 (huìmíng)
月明 (yuèmíng)
朏明
朧明 / 胧明
未明 (wèimíng)
朱明 (zhūmíng)
東明 / 东明 (Dōngmíng)
松明 (sōngmíng)
查明 (chámíng)
標明 / 标明 (biāomíng)
正明師 / 正明师
永明體 / 永明体
沒天明 / 没天明
決明 / 决明 (juémíng)
決明子 / 决明子 (juémíngzǐ)
注明 (zhùmíng)
洞明
流明 (liúmíng)
清明 (qīngmíng)
淺明 / 浅明
清明河 (Qīngmínghé)
清明節 / 清明节 (Qīngmíngjié)
澄明 (chéngmíng)
焦明 (jiāomíng)
無明 / 无明 (wúmíng)
無明火 / 无明火 (wúmínghuǒ)
照明 (zhàomíng)
照明彈 / 照明弹 (zhàomíngdàn)
申明 (shēnmíng)
發明 / 发明 (fāmíng)
發明家 / 发明家 (fāmíngjiā)
真理越辯越明 / 真理越辩越明 (zhēnlǐ yuèbiànyuèmíng)
知人者智，自知者明 (zhī rén zhě zhì, zì zhī zhě míng)
石決明 / 石决明 (shíjuémíng)
砸明火
神明 (shénmíng)
稟明 / 禀明
空明
簡明 / 简明 (jiǎnmíng)
精明 (jīngmíng)
聖明 / 圣明 (shèngmíng)
聰明 / 聪明 (cōngmíng)
聲明 / 声明 (shēngmíng)
聰明人 / 聪明人 (cōngmíngrén)
至明
芵明
英明 (yīngmíng)
薄明
虛明 / 虚明
表明 (biǎomíng)
言明 (yánmíng)
註明 / 注明 (zhùmíng)
詳明 / 详明 (xiángmíng)
說明 / 说明 (shuōmíng)
說明文 / 说明文 (shuōmíngwén)
說明書 / 说明书 (shuōmíngshū)
證明 / 证明 (zhèngmíng)
證明書 / 证明书 (zhèngmíngshū)
賢明 / 贤明 (xiánmíng)
質明 / 质明
趙公明 / 赵公明
趕明兒 / 赶明儿
載明 / 载明
辨明 (biànmíng)
通明 (tōngmíng)
透明 (tòumíng)
透明化
透明度 (tòumíngdù)
透明漆
透明體 / 透明体 (tòumíngtǐ)
過明路 / 过明路
遲明 / 迟明
重明 (chóngmíng)
野決明 / 野决明
長明燈 / 长明灯 (chángmíngdēng)
開明 / 开明 (kāimíng)
闡明 / 阐明 (chǎnmíng)
陽明 / 阳明 (yángmíng)
陽明山 / 阳明山
靜明園 / 静明园
頭明 / 头明
顯明 / 显明 (xiǎnmíng)
餘明 / 余明
馬明王 / 马明王
驗明 / 验明
高明 (gāomíng)
鬼聰明 / 鬼聪明
鮮明 / 鲜明 (xiānmíng)
鷦明 / 鹪明 (jiāomíng)
黃明 / 黄明
黃明膠 / 黄明胶
黎明 (límíng)
齊明 / 齐明

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (明):

→ Japanese: 明(みょう) (myō); 明(めい) (mei); 明(みん) (Min)
→ Korean: 명(明) (Myeong)
→ Vietnamese: minh (明Category:Vietnamese terms with redundant script codes#明)

Etymology 2

For pronunciation and definitions of 明Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明 Category:Chinese links with redundant alt parameters#明 – see 樠Category:Chinese links with manual fragments#明 (“elm; part of a pine tree branch with large amounts of resin; etc.”). (This character is a variant form of 樠Category:Chinese links with manual fragments#明).

Category:Chinese lemmas#日04 Category:Mandarin lemmas#日04 Category:Cantonese lemmas#日04 Category:Middle Chinese lemmas#日04 Category:Old Chinese lemmas#日04 Category:Chinese hanzi#日04 Category:Mandarin hanzi#日04 Category:Cantonese hanzi#日04 Category:Middle Chinese hanzi#日04 Category:Old Chinese hanzi#日04 Category:Chinese nouns#日04 Category:Mandarin nouns#日04 Category:Cantonese nouns#日04 Category:Middle Chinese nouns#日04 Category:Old Chinese nouns#日04 Category:Chinese terms spelled with 明#日04 Category:Chinese variant forms#日04 Category:Chinese entries with incorrect language header#日04 Category:Pages with entries#明 Category:Pages with 10 entries#明

References

Dictionary of Chinese Character Variants (教育部異體字字典 Category:Chinese terms with redundant script codes#明), A01784
“明”, in 漢語多功能字庫Category:Chinese terms with redundant script codes#明 (Multi-function Chinese Character Database)‎, 香港中文大學Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明 Category:Chinese links with redundant alt parameters#明 (the Chinese University of Hong Kong), 2014–
莆田市荔城区档案馆 [Putian City Licheng District Archives], editor (2022), “明”, in 莆仙方言文读字汇 [Puxian Dialect Literary Reading Dictionary] (overall work in Mandarin and Puxian Min), page 159.

Japanese

Kanji

明

(Second grade kyōiku kanji)

Category:Japanese kanji#日04 Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#日04 Category:Japanese second grade kanji#日04 Category:Japanese kyōiku kanji#日04 Category:Japanese jōyō kanji#日04

Readings

Compounds

Etymology 1

Kanji in this term
明
めい Grade: 2
kan'on

Category:Japanese terms spelled with 明 read as めい#めい Category:Japanese terms with redundant sortkeys#めい Category:Japanese terms read with kan'on#めい

From Middle Chinese Category:Japanese terms derived from Middle Chinese#めい明 (MC mjaeng).

Affix

Derived terms

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
明
みょう Grade: 2
goon

Category:Japanese terms spelled with 明 read as みょう#みょう Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#みょう Category:Japanese terms read with goon#みょう

/mʲau/ → /mʲɔː/ → /mʲoː/

From Middle Chinese Category:Japanese terms derived from Middle Chinese#めい明 (MC mjaeng).

The Buddhist senses are a translation of Sanskrit Category:Japanese terms derived from Sanskrit#みよう Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#みよう विद्या (vidyā, “knowledge, wisdom”).^[1]

Affix

bright
light, lamp
clarifying
passing to the next in time
graceful, respectful
(Buddhism Category:ja:Buddhism#めい) passing of knowledge, scholarship, or study

Derived terms

Noun

(Buddhism Category:ja:Buddhism#みよう Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#みよう) knowledge or wisdom that dispels the darkness of ignorance and brings to the realization of truth; enlightenment
(Buddhism Category:ja:Buddhism#めい) an esoteric mantra

Etymology 3

Kanji in this term
明
みん Grade: 2
tōon

Category:Japanese terms spelled with 明 read as みん#みん Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#みん Category:Japanese terms read with tōon#みん

Japanese Wikipedia has an article on:

明

Wikipedia ^ja

English Wikipedia has an article on:

Ming dynasty

Wikipedia

From Mandarin Category:Japanese terms borrowed from Mandarin#みん Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#みん Category:Japanese terms derived from Mandarin#みん明 (míng)Category:Mandarin terms with redundant transliterations#明.

Etymology 4

Kanji in this term
明
さや Grade: 2
irregular

Category:Japanese terms spelled with 明#さや Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#さや Category:Japanese terms read with irregular kanji readings#さや

For pronunciation and definitions of 明 – see the following entry.

【清さや】4

[adverb] brightly, clearly, vividly

[adverb] cleanly, freshly, purely

[adverb] rustlingly

[proper noun] a female given name

(This term, 明, is an alternative spelling of the above term.)

Category:Japanese entries with incorrect language header#めい Category:Pages with entries#明 Category:Pages with 10 entries#明

Etymology 5

Kanji in this term
明
あき(ら) Grade: 2
nanori

Category:Japanese terms spelled with 明 read as あき#あきら Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#あきら Category:Japanese terms read with nanori#あきら

Nominalization of the stem of adjective 明らか (akiraka, “clear, visible”).

Proper noun

a male given nameCategory:Japanese given names#あきら Category:Japanese terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#あきら Category:Japanese male given names#あきら

References

↑ Matsumura, Akira, editor (1995), 大辞泉Category:Japanese links with redundant wikilinks#明 Category:Japanese links with redundant alt parameters#明 [Daijisen] (in Japanese), First edition, Tokyo: Shogakukan, →ISBN

Korean

Hanja

明 (eumhun 밝을 명 (balgeul myeong))Category:Korean lemmas#명 Category:Korean terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys#명 Category:Korean hanja#명 Category:Korean entries with incorrect language header#명 Category:Pages with entries#明 Category:Pages with 10 entries#明

hanja form^? of 명 (“bright”)Category:Korean hanja forms#明

Kunigami

Kanji

明

(Second grade kyōiku kanji)

Category:Kunigami kanji#日04 Category:Kunigami terms with redundant sortkeys#日04 Category:Kunigami second grade kanji#日04 Category:Kunigami kyōiku kanji#日04 Category:Kunigami jōyō kanji#日04

Kun: はか゚い (hangai, 明か゚い)Category:Kunigami terms with non-redundant manual transliterations#明Category:Kunigami kanji with kun reading は・か゚い#日04

Miyako

Kanji

明

(Second grade kyōiku kanji)

Category:Miyako kanji#日04 Category:Miyako terms with redundant sortkeys#日04 Category:Miyako second grade kanji#日04 Category:Miyako kyōiku kanji#日04 Category:Miyako jōyō kanji#日04

Kun: あかーㇲ゙ (akādz, 明かーㇲ゙)Category:Miyako kanji with kun reading あ・かーㇲ゙#日04

Okinawan

Kanji

明

(Second grade kyōiku kanji)

Category:Okinawan kanji#日04 Category:Okinawan terms with redundant sortkeys#日04 Category:Okinawan second grade kanji#日04 Category:Okinawan kyōiku kanji#日04 Category:Okinawan jōyō kanji#日04

Readings

Compounds

清(しー)明(みー) (shīmī)
聡(すー)明(みー) (sūmī)

Vietnamese

Han character

明: Hán Việt readings: minh (眉(mi)兵(binh)切(thiết))^[1]^[2]^[3]Category:Vietnamese Chữ Hán#日04 Category:Vietnamese lemmas Category:Vietnamese Han characters
明: Nôm readings: mừng^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5], minh^[2]^[5], mầng^[2]^[5], miêng^[3]^[5], mênh^[3]Category:Vietnamese Nom#日04 Category:Vietnamese lemmas Category:Vietnamese Han characters

chữ Hán form of minh (“bright; clear”)Category:Vietnamese Chữ Hán
chữ Hán form of Minh (“given name”)Category:Vietnamese Chữ Hán
chữ Nôm form of mừngCategory:Vietnamese Nom

Compounds

Derived terms

References

1 2 Nguyễn (2014).
1 2 3 4 Nguyễn et al. (2009).
1 2 3 4 Trần (2004).
↑ Hồ (1976).
1 2 3 4 Taberd & Pigneau de Béhaine (1838).

Yaeyama

Kanji

明

(Second grade kyōiku kanji)

Category:Yaeyama kanji#日04 Category:Yaeyama terms with redundant sortkeys#日04 Category:Yaeyama second grade kanji#日04 Category:Yaeyama kyōiku kanji#日04 Category:Yaeyama jōyō kanji#日04

Kun: あかりぃ (akarï, 明かりぃ)Category:Yaeyama terms with non-redundant manual transliterations#明Category:Yaeyama kanji with kun reading あ・かりぃ#日04

Yonaguni

Kanji

明

(Second grade kyōiku kanji)

Category:Yonaguni kanji#日04 Category:Yonaguni terms with redundant sortkeys#日04 Category:Yonaguni second grade kanji#日04 Category:Yonaguni kyōiku kanji#日04 Category:Yonaguni jōyō kanji#日04

Kun: あがい (agai, 明がい)Category:Yonaguni terms with non-redundant manual transliterations#明Category:Yonaguni kanji with kun reading あ・がい#日04

[1] Matsumura, Akira, editor (1995), 大辞泉Category:Japanese links with redundant wikilinks#明 Category:Japanese links with redundant alt parameters#明 [Daijisen] (in Japanese), First edition, Tokyo: Shogakukan, →ISBN

[tdcndg-2] 1 2 Nguyễn (2014).

[tdcntd-3] 1 2 3 4 Nguyễn et al. (2009).

[gdhn-4] 1 2 3 4 Trần (2004).

[btcn-5] Hồ (1976).

[taberd-6] 1 2 3 4 Taberd & Pigneau de Béhaine (1838).

[1]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

Dynasties (朝代) in Chinese history
Name	Time period	Divisions
Xia 夏 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	2070 – 1600 BCE
Shang 商 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明) 殷 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	1600 – 1046 BCE
Zhou 周 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	1046 – 256 BCE	Western Zhou 西周
		Eastern Zhou 東周 / 东周	Spring and Autumn period 春秋
		Eastern Zhou 東周 / 东周	Warring States period 戰國 / 战国
Qin 秦 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	221 – 206 BCE
Han 漢 / 汉 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	206 BCE – 220 CE	Western Han 西漢 / 西汉
		Xin 新 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)
		Eastern Han 東漢 / 东汉
Three Kingdoms 三國 / 三国	220 – 280 CE	Wei 魏
		Shu Han 蜀漢 / 蜀汉
		Wu 吳 / 吴
Jin 晉 / 晋 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	265 – 420 CE	Western Jin 西晉 / 西晋
	265 – 420 CE	Eastern Jin 東晉 / 东晋
Southern and Northern dynasties 南北朝	420 – 589 CE	Northern dynasties 北朝	Northern Wei 北魏
			Western Wei 西魏
			Eastern Wei 東魏 / 东魏
			Northern Zhou 北周
			Northern Qi 北齊 / 北齐
		Southern dynasties 南朝	Liu Song 劉宋 / 刘宋
			Southern Qi 南齊 / 南齐
			Liang 梁 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)
			Chen 陳 / 陈 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)
Sui 隋 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	581 – 618 CE
Tang 唐 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	618 – 907 CE
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十國 / 五代十国	907 – 960 CE
Liao 遼 / 辽 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	907 – 1125 CE
Song 宋 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	960 – 1279 CE	Northern Song 北宋
	960 – 1279 CE	Southern Song 南宋
Western Xia 西夏	1038 – 1227 CE
Jin 金 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	1115 – 1234 CE
Western Liao 西遼 / 西辽	1124 – 1218 CE
Yuan 元 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	1271 – 1368 CE
Ming 明 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	1368 – 1644 CE
Qing 清 (～朝Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明, ～代Category:Chinese links with redundant wikilinks#明)	1636 – 1912 CE
Republic of China 中華民國 / 中华民国	1912 CE – present	Note: In Chinese contexts
People's Republic of China 中華人民共和國 / 中华人民共和国	1949 CE – present	Note: In Chinese contexts

Wikimore

明

Translingual

Han character

Derived characters

References

Chinese

Glyph origin

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Definitions

See also

Compounds

Descendants

Etymology 2

References

Japanese

Kanji

Readings

Compounds

Etymology 1

Affix

Derived terms

Noun

Etymology 2

Affix

Derived terms

Noun

Adnominal

Etymology 3

Proper noun

Derived terms

Etymology 4

Etymology 5

Proper noun

References

Korean

Hanja

Kunigami

Kanji

Miyako

Kanji

Okinawan

Kanji

Readings

Compounds

Vietnamese

Han character

Compounds

References

Yaeyama

Kanji

Yonaguni

Kanji