揭幕 (jiē mù) — to unveil (a monument, plaque, exhibition, etc.); to inaugurate; (theater) to raise the curtain; to begin a performance

Definition

A formal verb for an official unveiling — raising a curtain, opening an exhibition, or inaugurating a monument. Typically used for ceremonies and public events, not everyday speech.

verb
to unveil (a monument, plaque, exhibition, etc.)to inaugurate(theater) to raise the curtainto begin a performance

Examples

  • 揭幕。
    Zhè zuò jì niàn bēi zuó tiān zhèng shì jiē mù le.
    This monument was officially unveiled yesterday.
  • 。
    Shì zhǎng wèi xīn jiàn de tú shū guǎn jiē le mù.
    The mayor unveiled the newly built library.
  • 揭幕。
    Yǎn chū zài rè liè de zhǎng shēng zhōng jiē mù.
    The performance opened to warm applause.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

揭jiēraise/uncover
幕mùcurtain

揭 means to lift or uncover, and 幕 is the curtain; together they picture lifting a curtain to begin or reveal something.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
曷
曷hé揭jiē
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

揭 pairs 扌, the hand radical (full form 手), with 曷, which supplies the sound; the hand part fits meanings like lifting or taking off.

Open 揭 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
巾巾jīncloth
Sound part声符shēngfú
莫
莫mò幕mù
Same sound today

幕 combines 莫 above 巾 (cloth); 莫 gives the sound.

Open 幕 →

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