外露 (wài lù) — to reveal, to show (feelings, qualities, etc.)

Definition

A more literary/formal verb meaning 'to reveal, to show outwardly' (feelings, nature, talent). Usually pairs with 出来 as 外露出来; in neutral speech 表现出来 or 显示 is more common.

verb
to revealto show (feelings, qualities, etc.)

Examples

  • 外露。
    Tā de gǎn qíng hěn róng yì wài lù chū lái.
    His emotions are easily revealed.
  • 外露。
    Tā xǐ huan bǎ zì jǐ de néng lì wài lù chū lái.
    He likes to show off his abilities.
  • 外露。
    Tā de běn xìng zài guān jiàn shí kè wài lù le chū lái.
    Her true nature was revealed at the critical moment.

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.

外wàioutside
露lùexpose

外 means outside, and 露 means expose, so feelings or qualities show outward.

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
卜卜bǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
月
月yuè外wài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

外 pairs 卜 with 月, a crescent moon; in its older form, the 卜 part had a horizontal bar extending outward, giving the sense of outside.

Open 外 →

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
雨雨yǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
路
路lù露lù
Same sound today

露 pairs 雨, a rain-related meaning part, with 路, a sound part.

Open 露 →

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