Definition
揭 (jiē) primarily means "to take the lid off" or "to uncover" something physical, like opening a box. In abstract contexts, it can mean "to expose" a truth, but this sense is usually expressed by the more specific compounds 揭露 (jiēlù, to disclose a secret) and 揭发 (jiēfā, to bring to light wrongdoing). Unlike 暴露 (bàolù, which can happen by itself), 揭 is always an active, intentional action.
verb
to take the lid offto uncoverto exposeto unmask
Easily confused
- 喝hēlook-aliketo drink
- 接jiēsound-aliketo answer (the phone), to pick up (someone), to receive (an object or person)
- 渴kělook-alikethirsty
- 街jiēsound-alikestreet
- 歇xiēlook-aliketo rest, to take a break
- 借jièsound-aliketo borrow
- 节jiésound-alike(classifier) for segments of connected things: lessons, train cars, sections
- 结jiésound-alike(noun) knot
- 结jiēsound-alike(of plants) to produce (fruit or seeds)
- 解jiěsound-aliketo untie; to loosen; to separate
Examples
- ,。Tā jiē kāi le xiāngzi, fāxiàn lǐmiàn yǒu hěn duō qián.He opened the box and found a lot of money inside.
- 。Jìzhě jiē lòu le gōngsī nèibù de fǔbài wèntí.The reporter exposed the corruption inside the company.
- 。Tā jiē chuān le piànzi de zhēn miànmù.He exposed the true face of the swindler.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.