昭示 (zhāo shì) — to make clear to all, to declare publicly

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning to make something clearly evident to everyone — stronger and more declarative than ordinary 显示 ("show"). Typically used for policies, events, or discoveries that signal a larger meaning.

verb
to make clear to allto declare publicly

Examples

  • 昭示。
    Zhè xiàng zhèng cè zhāo shì le zhèng fǔ gǎi gé de jué xīn.
    This policy demonstrates the government's determination to reform.
  • 昭示。
    Tā de chéng gōng zhāo shì zhe nǔ lì zhōng yǒu huí bào.
    His success shows that hard work pays off.
  • 昭示。
    Zhè ge fā xiàn zhāo shì le rén lèi wén míng de xīn fāng xiàng.
    This discovery reveals a new direction for human civilization.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

昭zhāoclearly
示shìshow

昭 means clearly and 示 means show, so 昭示 is to make something clear to all.

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
日日rìsun
Sound part声符shēngfú
召
召zhào昭zhāo
Same sound today

昭 combines 日, meaning sun, with 召, which provides the sound.

Open 昭 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

示 began as a drawing of an altar. Extra strokes were added to keep it distinct from unrelated old forms.

Open 示 →

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