ming4 baak6明白

Jyutpingming4 baak6

Yalemìhng baahk

動詞Very common

Definition

To understand, comprehend, or know.

colloquialcommunicationdaily actions

How it's used

While 明白 is widely understood, Cantonese speakers frequently use 識得 or 知道 to express knowledge or awareness in casual settings. Using 明白 often carries a slightly more serious or emphatic tone, suggesting that you have grasped the underlying logic or emotional weight of a situation. It is common to hear the shortened form 明 used in rapid speech, especially when confirming understanding during a conversation.

Examples

nei5你ming4明m4唔ming4明baak6白ngo5我gong2講gan2緊mat1乜aa3呀？

Do you understand what I am talking about?

ngo5我jyun4完cyun4全ming4明baak6白nei5你dim2點gaai2解gam3咁m4唔hoi1開sam1心。

I completely understand why you are so unhappy.

Common phrases

jyun4完cyun4全ming4明baak6白

completely understand

m4唔ming4明baak6白

do not understand

Common mistake

Learners often use 明白 when they simply mean to know a fact, but 知道 is more appropriate for general information. 明白 implies a deeper level of comprehension or empathy rather than just having access to data.