突显 (tū xiǎn) — to become conspicuous; to stand out; to highlight; to emphasize

Definition

Formal verb meaning 'to make something stand out or stand out itself', often used in writing to emphasize a key point or quality. Often paired with 出来 (突显出来) when the subject itself becomes conspicuous.

verb
to become conspicuousto stand outto highlightto emphasize
Easily confused

Examples

  • 突显。
    Tā de cái huá zài bǐ sài zhōng tū xiǎn chū lái.
    His talent stood out in the competition.
  • 突显。
    Zhè piān wén zhāng tū xiǎn le wèn tí de yán zhòng xìng.
    This article highlights the seriousness of the problem.
  • 突显。
    Yǎn jiǎng zhōng tā tū xiǎn le tuán duì hé zuò de zhòng yào xìng.
    In his speech, he highlighted the importance of teamwork.

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.

突tūprominent
显xiǎnappear

突 (prominent) plus 显 (appear) gives 'stand out'.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

突 shows 犬 (dog) under 穴 (cave; den), as a dog suddenly coming out of a den.

Open 突 →

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 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.