Meaning and Usage
“明显” means 'clear' or 'obvious' and is used to describe something that can be easily perceived or understood without doubt. It often modifies nouns or verbs to emphasize the clarity or evident nature of a fact, change, or characteristic.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in everyday conversation to point out mistakes, changes in conditions, or differences in behavior. For example, you might say “错误明显” (the mistake is obvious) or “变化明显” (the change is clear).
Collocations and Patterns
- 明显的错误 (obvious mistake): used to highlight a clear fault.
- 明显变冷 (clearly become colder): to describe a noticeable change in weather.
- 明显比...好 (noticeably better than...): to compare improvements.
Nuances
Using “明显” implies that the speaker expects the listener to easily recognize the fact or change without needing further explanation. It is more formal and precise than just saying “很清楚” (very clear).
Common Confusion
Do not confuse “明显” with “清楚”. While both mean clear, “明显” emphasizes perceptible evidence or obviousness, often visible or measurable, whereas “清楚” focuses more on clarity of understanding or hearing.