显形 (xiǎn xíng) — to show one's true colors (idiomatic) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Idiomatic verb meaning 'to show one's true colors' — someone's real nature or hidden intentions become visible. Often used about a deceiver or impostor being exposed (cf. 露出马脚).

verb

to show one's true colors (idiomatic)

Examples

。
Tā zhōng yú zài dà jiā miàn qián xiǎn le xíng.
He finally showed his true colors in front of everyone.
，显形。
Bié yǐ wéi nǐ néng yì zhí yǐn cáng, zǒng yǒu yì tiān nǐ huì xiǎn xíng.
Don't think you can hide forever; one day you'll show your true colors.
显形。
Zhè ge piàn zi zài jǐng chá miàn qián xiǎn xíng le.
This swindler showed his true colors in front of the police.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

显 means reveal, and 形 points to the form shown.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 顯; 显 is its simplified writing.

日日rìsun
絲絲sīsilk
頁頁yèperson's head

For 显, the traditional form 顯 is made of 日 (sun), 絲 (silk), and 頁 (person's head).

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

彡彡shān

Sound part声符shēngfú

井

井jǐng形xíng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

形 is made from 彡 and 井, with 井 providing the sound.

Appears in

Abstract Concepts

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