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B1 adjective #1,400 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

透明

touming Top 1,400

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 透明 en 30 secondes

Explication 透明 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should focus on the most basic, physical meaning of 透明 (tòu míng). At this stage, you are learning how to describe simple objects around you. You should understand that 透明 means 'transparent' or 'clear like glass'. You will use it to describe everyday items that you can see through. For example, when you learn the words for 'glass' (玻璃 bō li), 'water' (水 shuǐ), or 'cup' (杯子 bēi zi), you can use 透明 to describe them. The grammar is very simple: you use it with the adverb 很 (hěn - very) to say something is transparent, like '这个杯子很透明' (This cup is very transparent). You also learn to use it with the particle 的 (de) to modify a noun, like '透明的玻璃' (transparent glass). You do not need to worry about the abstract or metaphorical meanings at this level. Just focus on recognizing the characters and associating them with clear, see-through physical objects. Practice pointing at things like windows, clear plastic bags, or clean water and saying '透明'. This builds a strong foundational vocabulary for describing the physical world.

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At the A2 level, your ability to describe the physical world expands, and your use of 透明 (tòu míng) should expand with it. You are now able to form more complex sentences and use a wider variety of vocabulary. You can use 透明 to describe weather conditions, like a clear sky, or specific items of clothing, like a transparent raincoat (透明雨衣). You will also start to learn its opposite, 不透明 (bù tòu míng - opaque), which allows you to make comparisons. For example, '这个塑料袋是透明的，那个是不透明的' (This plastic bag is transparent, that one is opaque). You should practice using it in shopping contexts, such as asking a shopkeeper for clear tape (透明胶) or a clear folder for your documents. The focus remains heavily on the physical, literal meaning of the word, but you are integrating it into more practical, daily-life conversations and using it to specify exactly what kind of object you need or are describing. You might also encounter the word 半透明 (bàn tòu míng - translucent) at this stage, adding another layer of descriptive capability to your Chinese.

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At the B1 level, a major shift occurs in how you use 透明 (tòu míng). You move beyond just describing physical objects like glass and water, and you begin to use the word metaphorically. This is a crucial step in intermediate Chinese. You will learn that 透明 is frequently used to describe systems, rules, and processes that are open, honest, and easy to understand. You will encounter phrases like 价格透明 (transparent pricing) when discussing shopping or business, meaning there are no hidden fees. You will also learn to talk about rules being transparent (规则很透明). This requires a conceptual leap, understanding that 'seeing through' something can mean 'understanding how it works without deception'. You should practice using it in opinions and discussions, such as saying '我觉得这个过程不够透明' (I think this process is not transparent enough). This level bridges the gap between basic survival Chinese and the ability to express opinions about fairness, honesty, and clarity in social and professional situations. It is a highly frequent word in news and modern discussions.

At the B2 level, your mastery of 透明 (tòu míng) involves using it fluently in professional, business, and formal contexts. You will frequently use the noun form, 透明度 (tòu míng dù - transparency), which is essential for discussing corporate governance, government policies, and organizational behavior. You should be comfortable constructing complex sentences discussing the need to 'increase transparency' (提高透明度) or 'lack of transparency' (缺乏透明度). You will also pair it with other formal vocabulary, such as 公开透明 (open and transparent), a standard four-character phrase used in formal speeches and news reports. At this level, you are not just describing things; you are analyzing situations and critiquing systems. For example, '为了赢得消费者的信任，企业必须保持信息公开透明' (In order to win consumer trust, enterprises must keep information open and transparent). Furthermore, you will begin to understand its use in interpersonal relationships, describing communication as transparent and honest. Your use of the word should be precise, distinguishing it clearly from words meaning 'obvious' (明显) or 'easy to understand' (清楚).

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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand and use the most nuanced and culturally specific applications of 透明 (tòu míng). You will effortlessly navigate its use in high-level socio-political discourse, discussing the transparency of administrative processes, financial markets, and legal frameworks. More importantly, you will be fluent in its modern, slang, and psychological applications. You will understand and use the term 透明人 (transparent person) to describe social alienation, marginalization, or the feeling of being ignored in a group or society. You can discuss the psychological impact of 'being transparent' in the digital age, regarding data privacy and surveillance. You will appreciate the literary and rhetorical uses of the word, understanding how authors use the metaphor of transparency to convey vulnerability or absolute truth. Your vocabulary will include advanced collocations and you will be able to debate complex topics, such as the balance between national security and government transparency (政府透明度). You manipulate the word with native-like intuition, adapting its register perfectly to the context.

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At the C2 level, your understanding of 透明 (tòu míng) is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. You grasp its deepest philosophical and literary implications. You can analyze texts where transparency is used as a motif for existential clarity or societal critique. You are aware of the historical evolution of the concept of transparency in Chinese political thought and how the modern usage of 透明度 is a relatively recent, often Western-influenced, addition to the political lexicon. You can play with the word, creating your own metaphors or subverting its standard usage for rhetorical effect. You effortlessly understand obscure idioms or poetic descriptions that rely on the concept of transparency, such as 冰清玉洁 (clear as ice and clean as jade) and how they relate to the core concept of 透明. You can write academic papers or deliver formal presentations discussing the systemic implications of information asymmetry versus absolute transparency in macroeconomics or sociology. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual tool you use to deconstruct and articulate complex realities.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

透明 en 30 secondes

Physical clarity: Describes materials like glass, water, or plastic that let light pass through perfectly.
Metaphorical openness: Describes systems, pricing, or rules that are honest and have no hidden secrets.
Noun form: Add 度 (dù) to make 透明度 (transparency), used heavily in business and politics.
Internet slang: 透明人 (transparent person) means someone who feels invisible or ignored socially.

The Chinese word 透明 (tòu míng) is a highly versatile adjective that translates directly to 'transparent' or 'clear' in English. To truly understand this word, we must break down its constituent characters. The first character, 透 (tòu), means 'to penetrate,' 'to pass through,' or 'thoroughly.' You will see this character in words like 透气 (breathable) or 看透 (to see through something or someone). The second character, 明 (míng), means 'bright,' 'clear,' or 'light,' appearing in foundational words like 明天 (tomorrow) or 明白 (to understand). When combined, 透明 literally describes a state where light can pass through an object completely, allowing you to see what is on the other side with perfect clarity.

Literal Usage: In its most basic, physical sense, 透明 is used to describe materials like glass, pure water, clear plastic, or crystal. When you look at a window, you expect it to be 透明.

这块玻璃非常透明，我甚至没注意到它在那里。

Beyond the physical realm, 透明 takes on a powerful metaphorical meaning that is incredibly common in modern Chinese society. It is used to describe situations, processes, or systems that are open, honest, and easy to understand, with no hidden secrets or deceptive practices.

Figurative Usage: In business, politics, and interpersonal relationships, transparency is highly valued. You will frequently hear discussions about 价格透明 (transparent pricing) or 信息透明 (transparent information).

我们公司的财务状况是完全公开透明的。

People use this word in everyday conversations to express a desire for clarity and honesty. If a friend is being evasive, you might wish they were more 透明 with their intentions. Furthermore, in the digital age, the concept of data transparency has made this word a staple in news articles and tech discussions.

Internet Slang: A fascinating modern evolution of this word is the term 透明人 (transparent person). This refers to someone who feels invisible or ignored in a social setting, like a ghost that people look right through.

在那个大派对上，我觉得自己就像个透明人。

Whether you are commenting on the crystal-clear waters of a mountain stream, praising a government agency for its open policies, or expressing your feelings of social isolation, 透明 provides the exact linguistic tool you need.

这条河的水清澈透明，能看到河底的石头。

Mastering this word bridges the gap between basic physical descriptions and advanced, nuanced societal commentary, making it a crucial milestone in your journey toward Chinese fluency.

缺乏透明度会导致信任危机。

Understanding both its literal and figurative applications will significantly enrich your vocabulary and allow you to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations with native speakers across a wide variety of contexts.

Using 透明 (tòu míng) correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its grammatical function as an adjective, and occasionally as a noun when combined with 度 (dù, meaning degree). As an adjective, it follows the standard rules of Chinese grammar, meaning it can be used as a predicate, an attributive modifier, or a complement.

Predicate Adjective: When used as the main descriptive word in a sentence, it is usually preceded by an adverb of degree like 很 (very), 非常 (extremely), or 比较 (relatively). You do not use the verb 是 (to be) in this structure.

这个塑料袋很透明。

Attributive Modifier: When modifying a noun directly, you must use the structural particle 的 (de) to connect the adjective to the noun. This translates to 'transparent [noun]'.

请给我一个透明的杯子。

我们需要建立一个透明的系统。

In more advanced contexts, you will often see 透明 combined with 度 (dù) to form the noun 透明度 (transparency). This is extremely common in formal, business, or political contexts.

Noun Form: 透明度: This noun form is used when discussing the concept of transparency as a measurable quality or an abstract ideal. It is often paired with verbs like 提高 (improve/increase) or 增加 (add/increase).

政府承诺将提高决策的透明度。

Another common sentence pattern involves using 透明 as a resultative complement, though this is less frequent than its adjective form. It describes an action that results in something becoming transparent. Furthermore, the phrase 公开透明 (open and transparent) is a fixed four-character phrase that functions as a powerful descriptive unit in formal speech.

整个选举过程必须公开透明。

By mastering these sentence structures—using it as a predicate with 很, an attributive with 的, or transforming it into a noun with 度—you will be able to express a wide range of ideas, from asking for a clear plastic bag at the grocery store to debating the ethical implications of corporate data policies in a boardroom setting. The grammatical flexibility of this word makes it an indispensable part of your intermediate Chinese toolkit.

The word 透明 (tòu míng) is ubiquitous in Chinese daily life, spanning a wide array of contexts from the mundane to the highly formal. You will encounter it in casual conversations, shopping experiences, professional environments, and even internet pop culture. Understanding where and how this word naturally appears will help you recognize it instantly and use it appropriately.

Daily Life and Shopping: In everyday scenarios, you will hear it used to describe physical objects. When buying stationery, you might ask for 透明胶 (clear tape). When organizing your home, you might look for 透明收纳盒 (clear storage boxes) so you can easily see what is inside.

老板，给我拿一卷透明胶带。

Business and Workplace: In the corporate world, this word is a buzzword. Employees demand a 透明的晋升机制 (transparent promotion mechanism), and consumers expect 价格透明 (transparent pricing). It is frequently used in meetings to discuss corporate governance and ethical practices.

客户要求我们的收费标准必须完全透明。

News and Politics: If you watch Chinese news or read newspapers, you will constantly see the phrase 公开透明 (open and transparent) used in relation to government policies, public spending, and legal proceedings. The noun form 透明度 (transparency) is a staple of journalistic writing.

新闻报道呼吁增加慈善机构的财务透明度。

由于信息不透明，引发了公众的猜测。

Finally, in the realm of internet culture and youth slang, the concept of the 透明人 (transparent person) or 小透明 (little transparent one) is widely used on social media platforms like Weibo or Xiaohongshu. It describes someone who has very few followers, receives no engagement, or feels entirely unnoticed in a social group or fandom.

我只是个群里的透明人，没人会在意我说什么。

This slang usage adds a layer of emotional depth to the word, showing how a term originally meant for glass and water has evolved to capture the modern feeling of social invisibility. By listening for this word in these varied contexts, you will quickly grasp its full spectrum of meaning.

While 透明 (tòu míng) is a straightforward concept, English speakers learning Chinese often make specific mistakes when trying to translate 'clear' or 'transparent' directly from English. The English word 'clear' has many meanings, and 透明 only covers a few of them. Using it in the wrong context is a very common error.

Mistake 1: Using it for 'Clear to Understand': In English, we say 'The instructions are clear' or 'Is that clear?'. You cannot use 透明 here. If you say '这个说明很透明', a Chinese speaker will be confused. For understanding, you must use 清楚 (qīng chǔ) or 明白 (míng bái).

Incorrect: 他的解释很透明。
Correct: 他的解释很清楚 (qīng chǔ)。

Mistake 2: Using it for 'Obvious': In English, we might say 'It is transparently obvious that he is lying.' In Chinese, you cannot use 透明 to mean 'obvious'. Instead, you should use 明显 (míng xiǎn) or 显而易见 (xiǎn ér yì jiàn).

Incorrect: 他在撒谎，这是很透明的。
Correct: 他在撒谎，这是很明显 (míng xiǎn) 的。

Mistake 3: Forgetting the 的 (de) Modifier: Because 透明 is a two-character adjective, when it directly modifies a noun, it almost always requires the particle 的 (de). Omitting it sounds unnatural, unless it is part of a highly fixed compound noun like 透明胶 (clear tape).

Incorrect: 我买了一个透明杯子。
Correct: 我买了一个透明的杯子。

我们需要一个透明的流程，而不是暗箱操作。

Another subtle mistake is overusing the literal translation 'transparent person' in formal contexts. While 透明人 is great internet slang for feeling ignored, you would not use it in a serious psychological evaluation or formal essay to describe social isolation. Always match the register of the word to your environment. By avoiding these common pitfalls—especially the confusion with 清楚 and 明显—your Chinese will sound much more native and precise. Remember: 透明 is about light passing through, or truth being unobstructed, not about mental comprehension or obviousness.

To truly master 透明 (tòu míng), it is helpful to understand its synonyms and related words. Chinese is a highly descriptive language, and there are many ways to express concepts of clarity, openness, and transparency. Choosing the exact right word elevates your language skills from intermediate to advanced.

清澈 (qīng chè) - Clear / Limpid: While 透明 can be used for any transparent material, 清澈 is almost exclusively used for liquids, especially water. It implies a pristine, clean, and unpolluted state. You would say 清澈的河水 (clear river water), but you would not say 清澈的玻璃 (clear glass).

湖水非常清澈，几乎像透明的一样。

晶莹 (jīng yíng) - Sparkling and Translucent: This is a highly literary and poetic word. It describes something that is not only transparent but also catches the light beautifully, like a dewdrop, a crystal, or a tear. It is often used in the four-character idiom 晶莹剔透 (crystal clear and flawless).

草叶上挂着晶莹的露珠。

公开 (gōng kāi) - Public / Open: When dealing with the metaphorical meaning of transparency (honesty, lack of secrets), 公开 is a very close synonym. However, 公开 focuses on the act of making something known to the public, while 透明 focuses on the state of being easily scrutinized. They are frequently paired together as 公开透明.

我们需要一个公开透明的调查。

法庭的审判过程是对外公开的。

Finally, consider the antonyms. The opposite of literal transparency is 浑浊 (hún zhuó - muddy/turbid) for liquids, or 不透明 (bù tòu míng - opaque) for solids. The opposite of metaphorical transparency is 隐蔽 (yǐn bì - hidden/concealed) or 暗箱操作 (àn xiāng cāo zuò - black box operations/under-the-table dealings). By contrasting 透明 with these alternatives, you build a robust, multi-dimensional vocabulary network that allows for precise and eloquent expression in Mandarin Chinese.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The character 明 (míng) is one of the most famous examples of an ideogram in Chinese. It combines the sun (日) and the moon (月), the two brightest objects in the sky, to mean 'bright'. So 透明 literally means 'penetrating brightness'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /təʊ mɪŋ/

US /toʊ mɪŋ/

Both syllables carry equal weight, but the falling tone on 透 (tòu) gives it a strong initial punch, followed by the rising tone on 明 (míng).

Rime avec

救命 (jiù mìng) 漏风 (lòu fēng) 受惊 (shòu jīng) 逗弄 (dòu nòng) 厚重 (hòu zhòng) 透明 (tòu míng) 后门 (hòu mén) 寿命 (shòu mìng)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 透 (tòu) with a flat tone instead of a sharp falling tone (4th tone).
Pronouncing 明 (míng) with a flat tone instead of a rising tone (2nd tone).
Confusing the 'ou' sound in tòu with 'u' or 'ao'. It should rhyme with English 'oh'.
Failing to pronounce the 'ng' at the end of míng clearly.
Saying 'tong ming' instead of 'tou ming'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The characters 透 and 明 are common. 明 is very basic (A1), while 透 is intermediate (B1).

Écriture 4/5

明 is easy to write. 透 requires knowing the 'motion' radical (辶) and the phonetic component 秀, which can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 3/5

The tones (4th and 2nd) require some practice to transition smoothly, but the sounds themselves are not difficult for English speakers.

Écoute 3/5

Easily recognizable in context, especially when paired with words like 玻璃 (glass) or 价格 (price).

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

水 (water) 玻璃 (glass) 明 (bright/clear) 很 (very) 的 (possessive/modifier)

Apprends ensuite

透明度 (transparency) 半透明 (translucent) 公开 (public/open) 明显 (obvious) 清澈 (clear water)

Avancé

暗箱操作 (black-box operation) 信息不对称 (information asymmetry) 晶莹剔透 (crystal clear) 澄澈 (limpid) 监督 (supervise)

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective + 的 + Noun

透明的玻璃 (Transparent glass)

Degree Adverb + Adjective (Predicate)

这个水很透明。(This water is very transparent.)

Adjective + 度 = Abstract Noun

透明度 (Transparency)

不 + Adjective (Negation)

这个盒子是不透明的。(This box is opaque.)

Adjective + 化 = Verb/Process (-ization)

流程透明化 (Making the process transparent)

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Exemples par niveau

这个杯子是透明的。

This cup is transparent.

Using 是...的 structure for description.

水很透明。

The water is very clear.

Adjective predicate with 很.

我有一个透明的包。

I have a transparent bag.

Attributive adjective with 的.

玻璃是透明的。

Glass is transparent.

Basic noun + adjective structure.

我要买透明胶。

I want to buy clear tape.

Compound noun without 的.

这个不透明。

This is not transparent.

Negation with 不.

你看，它是透明的。

Look, it is transparent.

Simple descriptive sentence.

透明的雨伞很好看。

Transparent umbrellas look good.

Subject modified by adjective.

这条河的水非常透明。

The water in this river is extremely clear.

Using 非常 for higher degree.

请给我一个透明的塑料袋。

Please give me a clear plastic bag.

Modifying a specific noun phrase.

这种纸是半透明的。

This kind of paper is translucent.

Introduction of 半 (half) prefix.

我喜欢透明的手机壳。

I like transparent phone cases.

Expressing preference with descriptive noun.

因为水很透明，我能看到鱼。

Because the water is clear, I can see the fish.

Cause and effect structure.

那个盒子是不透明的，我看不到里面。

That box is opaque, I can't see inside.

Using antonym for functional description.

你需要买透明的还是黑色的？

Do you need to buy a transparent one or a black one?

Using 还是 for questions.

洗完后，玻璃变得很透明。

After washing, the glass became very clear.

Using 变得 (become) to show change of state.

这家餐厅的价格很透明。

This restaurant's pricing is very transparent.

Metaphorical use for honesty/clarity.

比赛的规则必须透明。

The rules of the competition must be transparent.

Using 必须 (must) with abstract concept.

我们希望有更透明的信息。

We hope to have more transparent information.

Modifying abstract nouns like 信息 (information).

这个过程不够透明，大家都不满意。

This process is not transparent enough, everyone is dissatisfied.

Using 不够 (not enough) for critique.

公开透明是我们的原则。

Openness and transparency is our principle.

Using the fixed phrase 公开透明 as a subject.

你可以把事情透明地告诉我们吗？

Can you tell us the matter transparently (honestly)?

Using 地 to turn the adjective into an adverb.

因为收费透明，所以顾客很多。

Because the charging is transparent, there are many customers.

Complex sentence explaining business success.

我不喜欢不透明的管理方式。

I don't like opaque management styles.

Critiquing abstract systems.

提高政府工作的透明度是当务之急。

Increasing the transparency of government work is a top priority.

Using the noun form 透明度 as an object.

缺乏透明度会导致严重的信任危机。

A lack of transparency will lead to a serious crisis of trust.

Formal vocabulary: 缺乏 (lack) and 导致 (lead to).

这家公司的财务状况完全公开透明。

This company's financial situation is completely open and transparent.

Using 完全 (completely) to emphasize absolute transparency.

为了保证公平，所有的选票都放在透明的箱子里。

To ensure fairness, all ballots are placed in a transparent box.

Combining physical transparency with the concept of fairness.

在现代社会，数据透明度成了一个重要话题。

In modern society, data transparency has become an important topic.

Discussing contemporary societal issues.

他们建立了一个透明的反馈机制。

They established a transparent feedback mechanism.

Professional/corporate terminology.

暗箱操作与公开透明的原则背道而驰。

Black-box operations run counter to the principle of openness and transparency.

Contrasting idioms (暗箱操作 vs 公开透明).

保持沟通的透明有助于解决团队冲突。

Maintaining transparency in communication helps resolve team conflicts.

Using 有助于 (helps to) in a professional context.

在那个精英云集的圈子里，他觉得自己像个小透明。

In that circle full of elites, he felt like a 'little transparent person' (invisible/ignored).

Using internet slang 小透明 to describe social isolation.

政策的透明化不仅是口号，更需要制度的保障。

The transparency of policies is not just a slogan; it requires institutional guarantees.

Using the suffix 化 (-ization) to mean 'making transparent'.

算法的不透明性引发了公众对隐私泄露的深切担忧。

The opacity of algorithms has triggered deep public concern about privacy leaks.

Using 不透明性 (opacity/non-transparency) in tech discourse.

两人之间坦诚相待，没有任何秘密，关系几乎是透明的。

The two treat each other with absolute sincerity, having no secrets; their relationship is almost transparent.

Metaphorical use describing profound interpersonal intimacy.

市场机制的有效运作高度依赖于信息的完全透明。

The effective operation of market mechanisms relies heavily on the complete transparency of information.

Academic/Economic phrasing.

他试图用华丽的辞藻掩饰内心的虚弱，但在明眼人看来却是透明的。

He tried to use flowery language to cover up his inner weakness, but to discerning eyes, it was transparent.

Meaning 'easily seen through' or 'obvious deception'.

打破行业壁垒，实现供应链的上下游透明，是企业转型的关键。

Breaking industry barriers and achieving upstream and downstream transparency in the supply chain is key to corporate transformation.

Advanced business strategy terminology.

在这个信息爆炸的时代，个人的生活轨迹变得越来越透明。

In this era of information explosion, individuals' life trajectories are becoming increasingly transparent.

Societal critique regarding digital privacy.

权力的运行一旦失去透明度，便极易滋生腐败的温床。

Once the exercise of power loses its transparency, it easily becomes a breeding ground for corruption.

Highly formal, literary political critique.

作家的笔触犹如一把透明的手术刀，精准地解剖了人性的复杂。

The writer's brushstrokes are like a transparent scalpel, accurately dissecting the complexity of human nature.

Poetic and literary metaphor.

在绝对的透明面前，任何伪装和谎言都显得苍白无力。

In the face of absolute transparency, all disguises and lies appear pale and powerless.

Philosophical statement using 绝对的透明 (absolute transparency).

所谓的‘透明社会’，既是乌托邦式的理想，也暗藏着全景敞视的隐忧。

The so-called 'transparent society' is both a utopian ideal and harbors the hidden worries of panoptic surveillance.

Academic sociology discourse (referencing Panopticon).

他以一种近乎残酷的透明度审视自己的过往，不留一丝余地。

He examined his past with an almost cruel transparency, leaving no room for evasion.

Describing intense, uncompromising self-reflection.

历史的迷雾终将被吹散，真相必将以透明的姿态显现于世人眼前。

The fog of history will eventually be blown away, and the truth will inevitably reveal itself to the world in a transparent posture.

Epic, historical narrative style.

资本市场的透明化改革，是一场触及既得利益者灵魂的深刻博弈。

The transparency reform of the capital market is a profound game that touches the souls of vested interests.

Advanced economic and political analysis.

她那透明如水晶般的心灵，在这浑浊的世态中显得尤为珍贵。

Her soul, transparent as crystal, appears especially precious in this turbid state of the world.

High literary praise using contrasting imagery (透明 vs 浑浊).

Synonymes

公开清晰透彻

Antonymes

模糊隐蔽浑浊

Collocations courantes

透明度

公开透明

半透明

不透明

透明胶

价格透明

信息透明

透明人

透明玻璃

缺乏透明

Phrases Courantes

增加透明度

— To increase transparency. Used in business and politics to demand more openness.

市民要求政府增加财政透明度。

完全透明

— Completely transparent. Used to emphasize absolute clarity or honesty.

我们的收费标准是完全透明的。

变得透明

— To become transparent. Used for physical changes or systems opening up.

冰融化后变得透明。

不够透明

— Not transparent enough. A common polite critique of a secretive process.

我觉得这个决定过程不够透明。

透明塑料袋

— Clear plastic bag. A very common everyday item.

请给我一个透明塑料袋装苹果。

透明水杯

— Clear water cup/glass.

他买了一个漂亮的透明水杯。

小透明

— A little invisible person. Internet slang for someone with no presence or followers.

我只是个微博上的小透明。

透明雨衣

— Clear raincoat.

下雨了，她穿上了一件透明雨衣。

保持透明

— To maintain transparency. A goal in corporate governance.

公司管理层承诺保持透明。

高度透明

— Highly transparent. Used to praise a very open system.

该慈善机构的运作高度透明。

Souvent confondu avec

透明 vs 清楚 (qīng chǔ)

清楚 means 'clear to understand' or 'distinct' (e.g., I hear you clearly). 透明 means 'transparent' (light passes through). Do not use 透明 for understanding.

透明 vs 明显 (míng xiǎn)

明显 means 'obvious' (e.g., an obvious mistake). English speakers sometimes say 'a transparent lie', but in Chinese you must use 明显的谎言, not 透明的谎言.

透明 vs 明白 (míng bái)

明白 is a verb meaning 'to understand' or an adjective meaning 'clear/sensible'. It shares the character 明, but has nothing to do with physical transparency.

Expressions idiomatiques

"公开透明"

— Open and transparent. Though technically a four-character phrase rather than an ancient idiom, it functions identically in modern rhetoric.

我们承诺所有的捐款去向都会公开透明。

Formal

"晶莹剔透"

— Crystal clear and flawless. Used to describe beautiful, transparent objects like gems, ice, or fine glass.

这件艺术品晶莹剔透，非常美丽。

Literary

"开诚布公"

— To speak frankly and sincerely. Metaphorically related to transparency in communication.

我们开诚布公地谈一谈吧。

Formal/Neutral

"一清二楚"

— Perfectly clear; crystal clear. Usually refers to understanding a situation completely, not physical transparency.

他对这件事情的经过了解得一清二楚。

Neutral

"光明正大"

— Open and aboveboard; honest. Describes behavior that has nothing to hide.

他做事向来光明正大。

Formal

"暗箱操作"

— Black-box operations; under-the-table dealings. The exact opposite of a transparent process.

这次招标存在暗箱操作的嫌疑。

Formal/Critique

"冰清玉洁"

— Clear as ice and clean as jade. Describes someone with pure, flawless moral character.

她是一个冰清玉洁的女孩。

Literary

"显而易见"

— Obviously; clearly visible. Relates to clarity of truth, though not physical transparency.

显而易见，他犯了一个大错。

Formal

"昭然若揭"

— Abundantly clear; exposed for all to see. Usually used for bad intentions or crimes being revealed.

他的狼子野心已经昭然若揭。

Literary/Negative

"浑水摸鱼"

— To fish in troubled waters; to take advantage of a chaotic, unclear (non-transparent) situation.

有些人想趁机浑水摸鱼。

Neutral/Negative

Facile à confondre

透明 vs 清楚

Both translate to 'clear' in English.

清楚 is for cognitive clarity (hearing clearly, understanding clearly, speaking clearly). 透明 is for physical transparency (glass, water) or systemic honesty.

我听得很清楚。(I hear clearly.) 这个玻璃很透明。(This glass is transparent.)

透明 vs 明显

English uses 'transparent' to mean 'obvious'.

明显 means easily noticed or understood (obvious). 透明 cannot be used this way in Chinese.

他的错误很明显。(His mistake is obvious.)

透明 vs 清澈

Both mean clear/transparent.

清澈 is almost exclusively used for liquids (water, rivers, lakes) to mean unpolluted and clear. 透明 can be used for any solid or liquid.

清澈的河水。(Clear river water.) 透明的玻璃。(Transparent glass.)

透明 vs 公开

Both relate to a lack of secrets.

公开 focuses on the action of making something public. 透明 focuses on the state of being easily scrutinized and honest. They are often used together.

公开审判。(Public trial.) 透明的流程。(Transparent process.)

透明 vs 明白

Shares the character 明 and relates to clarity.

明白 means to understand something mentally. 透明 is a physical or systemic state.

我明白了。(I understand.) 价格很透明。(The price is transparent.)

Structures de phrases

[Subject] + 很 + 透明。

这个杯子很透明。 (This cup is very transparent.)

[Subject] + 是 + 透明的。

水是透明的。 (Water is transparent.)

我想要一个 + 透明的 + [Noun]。

我想要一个透明的袋子。 (I want a transparent bag.)

[System/Rule] + 必须 + 透明。

规则必须透明。 (The rules must be transparent.)

提高 + [Organization] + 的透明度。

提高政府的透明度。 (Increase the government's transparency.)

公开透明是 + [Noun Phrase]。

公开透明是我们的原则。 (Openness and transparency is our principle.)

在...中，他像个透明人。

在团队中，他像个透明人。 (In the team, he is like an invisible person.)

缺乏透明度会导致...

缺乏透明度会导致信任危机。 (A lack of transparency will lead to a crisis of trust.)

Famille de mots

Noms

透明度 (transparency)

透明人 (invisible person)

透明胶 (clear tape)

Verbes

透明化 (to make transparent)

Adjectifs

透明 (transparent)

半透明 (translucent)

不透明 (opaque)

Apparenté

透视 (perspective/x-ray)

透气 (breathable)

明白 (understand)

明显 (obvious)

光明 (bright)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Top 2000 words. Highly frequent in both daily life and news media.

Erreurs courantes

这个语法规则很透明。 → 这个语法规则很清楚。
English speakers use 'transparent' or 'clear' to mean easy to understand. In Chinese, 透明 is only for physical transparency or systemic honesty. For understanding rules or explanations, use 清楚 (qīng chǔ).
他撒了一个透明的谎。 → 他撒了一个明显的谎。
In English, a 'transparent lie' is an obvious one. In Chinese, you cannot use 透明 to mean obvious. You must use 明显 (míng xiǎn).
我买了一个透明杯子。 → 我买了一个透明的杯子。
When a two-character adjective modifies a noun, it generally requires the structural particle 的 (de) to connect them, unless it's a highly fixed compound word.
我们需要增加公司的透明。 → 我们需要增加公司的透明度。
When talking about 'transparency' as an abstract noun (something you can increase or decrease), you must add the suffix 度 (dù) to make it 透明度.
这杯咖啡不透明。 → 这杯咖啡很浑浊 / 这杯咖啡看不透。
While technically grammatically correct, native speakers rarely describe dark liquids like coffee as '不透明'. They would describe the color, or use words like 浑浊 (turbid) if it's supposed to be clear but isn't.

Astuces

Don't forget '的'

When placing 透明 before a noun to describe it, almost always include 的 (de). Say 透明的玻璃, not 透明玻璃 (unless it's a fixed compound).

Not for understanding

Never use 透明 to mean 'I understand clearly' or 'The instructions are clear'. Always use 清楚 (qīng chǔ) for cognitive clarity.

Business essential

If you work in business, memorize the phrase 提高透明度 (increase transparency). It is an essential buzzword in Chinese corporate culture.

Internet slang

If you want to sound like a native on Chinese social media, use 小透明 (little transparent) to humbly describe yourself as someone with few followers.

Hit the 4th tone

Make sure the 'tou' is a sharp, falling 4th tone. If you say it with a flat tone, it sounds unnatural and might confuse the listener.

Ask for clear tape

If you need scotch tape or clear packing tape, ask for 透明胶 (tòu míng jiāo). It's the standard word everywhere in China.

Pair with 公开

When talking about rules or government, always pair it with 公开 (open). 公开透明 sounds highly educated and native.

Water vs Glass

You can use 透明 for water, but 清澈 (qīng chè) sounds much more poetic and natural for rivers and lakes.

Just add 不

To say opaque, simply add 不 (bù) to the front: 不透明. It works for both physical objects and abstract systems.

Think 'No Secrets'

When using it metaphorically, think of it as meaning 'having no secrets' rather than 'easy to figure out'. This helps avoid the 'obvious' mistake.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a TOE (透 tòu) kicking through a window, but the glass is so clear it MINGles (明 míng) with the air. The toe passes right through the transparent glass.

Association visuelle

Visualize a bright sun and moon (明) shining their light completely through (透) a block of clear ice. The light penetrates without any shadow.

Word Web

透明 (Transparent) -> 物理 (Physical): 玻璃 (Glass), 水 (Water), 塑料 (Plastic) -> 商业 (Business): 价格 (Price), 信息 (Information), 机制 (Mechanism) -> 反义词 (Antonyms): 不透明 (Opaque), 隐蔽 (Hidden) -> 衍生词 (Derivatives): 透明度 (Transparency), 半透明 (Translucent) -> 俚语 (Slang): 透明人 (Invisible person)

Défi

Look around your room right now. Find three objects that are 透明 (transparent) and three that are 不透明 (opaque). Say the sentences out loud: '这个[object]是透明的' or '这个[object]是不透明的'.

Origine du mot

The word 透明 is composed of two ancient Chinese characters. 透 (tòu) originally meant 'to leap over' or 'to pass through', evolving to mean 'penetrate'. 明 (míng) is composed of the characters for sun (日) and moon (月), representing brightness and clarity. Together, they form the concept of light passing through completely.

Sens originel : The original meaning was strictly physical: allowing light to pass through so objects behind can be seen.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexte culturel

When using 透明人 (transparent person) to describe someone, be careful. While it's common self-deprecating slang, calling someone else a 'transparent person' can be insulting, implying they are insignificant or easily ignored.

English speakers use 'transparent' very similarly, both for glass and for honest governments. However, English speakers also use 'transparent' to mean 'obvious' (e.g., a transparent lie), which does NOT work in Chinese. Use 明显 for an obvious lie.

《透明的红萝卜》 (The Transparent Red Radish) - A famous novella by Nobel Laureate Mo Yan. 透明人 (The Invisible Man) - The Chinese translation of H.G. Wells' classic sci-fi novel. Government reports frequently cite 提高政务透明度 (Increasing the transparency of government affairs) as a core objective.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping for items

透明胶 (clear tape)
透明塑料袋 (clear plastic bag)
透明手机壳 (clear phone case)
半透明的 (translucent)

Discussing business or politics

提高透明度 (increase transparency)
公开透明 (open and transparent)
价格透明 (transparent pricing)
缺乏透明度 (lack of transparency)

Describing nature

透明的湖水 (clear lake water)
晶莹透明 (sparkling and transparent)
清澈透明 (clear and transparent)
变得透明 (become transparent)

Social media and internet culture

小透明 (invisible person/nobody)
像透明人一样 (like an invisible person)
透明化 (make transparent)
被当成透明人 (treated as invisible)

Science and materials

不透明材料 (opaque material)
半透明状态 (translucent state)
透明质酸 (hyaluronic acid)
光学透明 (optical transparency)

Amorces de conversation

"你觉得这家公司的晋升机制够透明吗？ (Do you think this company's promotion mechanism is transparent enough?)"

"你能帮我拿一下那个透明的杯子吗？ (Could you help me grab that transparent cup?)"

"在社交媒体上，你有没有觉得自己有时候像个‘透明人’？ (On social media, do you ever feel like a 'transparent person' sometimes?)"

"你买手机壳喜欢透明的还是带图案的？ (Do you prefer transparent phone cases or ones with patterns?)"

"为什么现在大家都在强调‘价格透明’？ (Why is everyone emphasizing 'transparent pricing' nowadays?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe an object in your room that is 透明. Why do you like or dislike it?

Write about a time when a lack of 透明度 (transparency) caused a problem in a group or organization you were part of.

Do you think absolute transparency in a relationship is a good thing? Why or why not?

Have you ever felt like a 透明人 (invisible person) at a party or in a class? Describe the experience.

Explain the difference between 透明 (transparent) and 明显 (obvious) using your own examples.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, this is a direct translation error from English. In Chinese, if an explanation is easy to understand, you must use 清楚 (qīng chǔ) or 明白 (míng bái). You should say '他的解释很清楚'. 透明 is reserved for physical light passing through, or for systems having no hidden secrets.

You add the character 半 (bàn), meaning 'half', to the front. The word is 半透明 (bàn tòu míng). For example, '半透明的玻璃' means translucent glass (like frosted glass where light passes but you can't see details).

While it can literally mean 'The Invisible Man' in sci-fi contexts, in modern everyday Chinese and internet slang, '透明人' refers to someone who feels ignored, marginalized, or unnoticed in a social setting. It's similar to saying someone is a 'wallflower' or 'invisible' to others.

透明度 (tòu míng dù) is a noun. The suffix 度 (dù) means 'degree'. So it literally translates to 'degree of transparency', which is the noun 'transparency'. You use it in phrases like '提高透明度' (increase transparency).

It is not the most natural choice. While a sky might be clear, Chinese speakers usually use 晴朗 (qíng lǎng) for a sunny, clear sky, or 蔚蓝 (wèi lán) for a clear blue sky. 透明 is better for things you look *through*, like glass or water.

For physical objects that block light, the opposite is 不透明 (bù tòu míng - opaque). For liquids that are not clear, you use 浑浊 (hún zhuó - muddy/turbid). For systems that are secretive, you can use 不透明 or 隐蔽 (yǐn bì - hidden).

If 透明 is directly modifying a noun (acting as an attributive adjective), you generally need '的' (e.g., 透明的杯子). The exception is for fixed compound nouns that act as a single unit, like 透明胶 (clear tape) or 透明伞 (clear umbrella).

The standard phrase is 价格透明 (jià gé tòu míng). This is a very common and useful phrase when shopping or doing business in China to ensure there are no hidden fees.

公开透明 (gōng kāi tòu míng) is a very common four-character phrase meaning 'open and transparent'. It is heavily used in news, politics, and corporate statements to describe fair, honest, and trackable processes.

No. In English, a 'transparent lie' means an obvious one. In Chinese, you cannot use 透明 this way. You must use 明显 (míng xiǎn - obvious). Say '明显的谎言' (an obvious lie).

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Teste-toi 200 questions

writing

Write a simple sentence saying 'The glass is transparent.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

玻璃是透明的。