明明…却…
clearly …, and yet …
Structure
主语 明明 明显的事实 ， （主语） 却 相反的结果
What it means
明明 insists something is plainly true, and the second half runs against it: 'clearly…, and yet…'. It usually carries surprise, frustration or complaint.
How it is built
Subject + 明明 + obvious fact，(subject) + 却 + contrary result: 这道题明明很简单，他却想了半个小时 (The question was obviously easy, yet he spent half an hour on it).
When to use it
却 in writing; 可, 还 or 但 in speech, or a reproachful 为什么还…？ For a neutral 'although' use 虽然…但是…; 明明 adds insistence and complaint.
Watch out
明明 normally goes after the subject (他明明知道), and 却 after the subject of its own clause: ✗却他想了半个小时 ✓他却想了半个小时.
Examples
她明明什么都不缺，却怎么也高兴不起来。
She clearly lacks nothing, and yet she just cannot feel happy.
这道题明明很简单，他却想了半个小时。
The question was obviously easy, yet he spent half an hour on it.
你明明知道他心情不好，为什么还要说这种话？
You know perfectly well he’s feeling low, so why say something like that?
Learn this in Lesson 162 · HSK 7–9: 抑郁症不是矫情 (Depression is not oversensitivity)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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