Chinese word

文明

Pronunciation

Pinyinwén míng

Meaning

  • nouncivilization

Example

城市的发展需要文明和法治。chéng shì de fā zhǎn xū yào wén míng hé fǎ zhì

The development of a city requires civilization and the rule of law.

Illustration for 文明 (civilization)

More examples

在公共场合要讲文明，不要大声喧哗。zài gōng gòng chǎng hé yào jiǎng wén míng bú yào dà shēng xuān huá

In public places, be civil and do not make a loud noise.

Core concept

A society's shared culture, institutions, and orderly habits viewed as one level of refinement.

Common phrases

  • 文明社会wén míng shè huì

    civilized society

  • 讲文明jiǎng wén míng

    behave civilly

  • 文明礼貌wén míng lǐ mào

    civility and politeness

Similar words

文化wén huà: The shared customs, arts, beliefs, and ways of thinking built up by a society.
礼貌lǐ mào: Courtesy and a respectful manner in dealing with other people.
社会shè huì: A group of people sharing a way of life and the systems that organize it.
道德dào dé: The standards and values used to judge people's actions as good or bad.

Definition in Chinese

指一个社会或时期在制度、科技、经济和文化等方面的整体发展水平，也可泛指个人或公共场合的礼貌与秩序。zhǐ yí gè shè huì huò shí qī zài zhì dù kē jì jīng jì hé wén huà děng fāng miàn de zhéng tǐ fā zhǎn shuǐ píng yě kě fàn zhǐ gè rén huò gōng gòng chǎng hé de lǐ mào yǔ zhì xù

Word origin

文明 (wénmíng, "civilization") combines 文 (wén, "culture or cultivated form") with 明 (míng, "bright or clear"), linking learning and clarity with an orderly shared life.

Usage tips

  • This word appears naturally in public-language contexts, where it marks conduct that supports shared spaces, so its everyday range is wider than a purely historical label.

Other meanings

  • civilitynoun
  • civilizedadjective

Related words

  • 文明化wén míng huàcivilizeverb
  • 文明人wén míng réncivilized personnoun

Word lists with this word