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现形 (xiàn xíng) — to reveal one's true self, to show one's true colors

Definition

Literary verb meaning 'to be exposed / show one's true colors', usually negative (a liar, traitor, or hidden nature revealed). More dramatic and written than the plain 'show what someone really is' sense of 暴露.

verb
to reveal one's true selfto show one's true colors

Examples

  • 现形。
    Tā zhōng yú xiàn xíng le.
    He finally revealed his true self.
  • ，现形。
    Zài zhèng jù miàn qián, tā xiàn xíng le.
    In the face of evidence, he showed his true colors.
  • 现形。
    Piàn zi hěn kuài jiù huì xiàn xíng.
    The liar will soon be exposed.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

现xiànshow
形xíngform

“现” means show and “形” means form: showing one's form.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 現; 现 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
玉玉yùjade
Sound part声符shēngfú
見
見jiàn現
Same sound today

The traditional form 現 pairs 玉 (jade) with 見 as a sound part; the simplified 现 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 现 →

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.

Open 形 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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