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显露 (xiǎn lù) — to become visible, to appear; to reveal, to show

Definition

Use 显露 for something (often a quality, emotion, or hidden fact) becoming visible or coming to light, typically gradual. 流露 is more specific — used for feelings leaking out unintentionally. 显现 emphasizes the visual act of appearing.

verb
to become visibleto appearto revealto show

Examples

  • 显露。
    Zhēn xiàng zhōng yú xiǎn lù chū lái le.
    The truth finally came to light.
  • 显露。
    Tā liǎn shàng xiǎn lù chū yì sī bù ān.
    A trace of unease showed on his face.
  • 显露。
    Zhè xiàng diào chá xiǎn lù le xǔ duō wèn tí.
    This investigation revealed many problems.

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
露lùreveal

显 and 露 both mean to show or become visible, so together they emphasize revealing something.

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 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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