文明

wén míng

HSK 3Noun (名)Adjective (形)

Basic Meaning

In modern usage, refers broadly to material and spiritual achievements of human society. It is distinct from specific cultural traditions '文化'. It often carries a positive connotation.

civilization; culture

人类社会发展所创造的物质财富和精神财富的总和；文化。

Synonyms:

文化

Antonyms:

野蛮蒙昧

Sentences:

我(wǒ)们(mēn)应(yìng)该(gāi)共(gòng)同(tòng)努(nǔ)力(lì)，保(bào)护(hù)人(rén)类(lèi)文(wén)明(míng)。
We should work together to protect human civilization.
这(zhè)座(zuò)博(bó)物(wù)馆(guǎn)展(zhǎn)示(shì)了(le)古(gǔ)代(dài)文(wén)明(míng)的(de)历(lì)史(shǐ)。
This museum displays the history of ancient civilizations.

adj

Describes a person's behavior or a society's state being advanced, polite, or educated. Can be used in negative phrases, e.g., '不文明行为' (uncivilized behavior).

civilized; cultured

社会发展到较高阶段，有文化的状态。

Synonyms:

开化进步

Antonyms:

野蛮粗鲁

Sentences:

排(pái)队(duì)等(děng)候(hòu)是(shì)一(yì)种(zhǒng)文(wén)明(míng)的(de)行(xíng)为(wéi)。
Waiting in line is a civilized behavior.
这(zhè)座(zuò)城(chéng)市(shì)非(fēi)常(cháng)文(wén)明(míng)整(jié)洁(zhí)。
This city is very civilized and clean.

adj

This sense reflects an older, historical usage ('多用于旧时说法'), where '文明' was used to describe novel or Western-style things, e.g., '文明棍' (walking stick). Its use in modern context is now rare.

modern; up-to-date

现代化的，新式的（多用于旧时说法）。

Synonyms:

时新新式

Antonyms:

老旧传统

Sentences:

在(zài)过(guò)去(qù)，使(shǐ)用(yòng)电(diàn)灯(dēng)被(bèi)看(kàn)作(zuò)是(shì)文(wén)明(míng)的(de)生(shēng)活(huó)方(fāng)式(shì)。
In the past, using electric lights was seen as a modern way of living.
她(tā)穿(chuān)着(zhuó)一(yī)条(tiáo)文(wén)明(míng)的(de)连(lián)衣(yī)裙(qún)，在(zài)当(dāng)时(shí)很(hěn)时(shí)髦(máo)。
She wore a Western-style dress, which was very fashionable at that time.

Characters Breakdown

character; writing

bright; clear