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显示 (xiǎn shì) — to show, to display, to demonstrate

Definition

Used when something (a screen, data, results) automatically presents or outputs information. Contrast with 演示 (deliberately demonstrate a process) and 出示 (show a document/ID by hand).

verb
to showto displayto demonstrate

Examples

  • 显示。
    Shǒu jī píng mù xiǎn shì chū le shí jiān.
    The phone screen displayed the time.
  • 显示。
    Shí yàn xiǎn shì le zhèng què de jié guǒ.
    The experiment showed the correct result.
  • 显示。
    Zhè ge ruǎn jiàn kě yǐ xiǎn shì hěn duō xìn xī.
    This software can display a lot of information.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

显xiǎnshow
示shìshow

显 and 示 both mean to make visible, so 显示 is to display.

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).

Open 显 →

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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