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表示 (biǎo shì) — to express (feelings, opinions); to show, to indicate (a sign, symbol); to mean, to signify

Definition

General 'to express / to show / to mean' — covers feelings, opinions, and what a sign stands for. 表达 focuses on conveying thoughts/feelings; 表明 means 'to make clear' (more decisive, often with evidence).

verb
to express (feelings, opinions)to showto indicate (a sign, symbol)to meanto signify

Examples

  • 表示。
    Tā biǎo shì tā bù tóng yì zhè ge jì huà.
    He expressed that he disagrees with this plan.
  • 表示。
    Hóng dēng biǎo shì chē liàng bì xū tíng xià.
    A red light means vehicles must stop.
  • 表示。
    Tā de shǒu shì biǎo shì huān yíng.
    Her gesture showed welcome.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

表biǎoshow
示shìshow

“表” and “示” both mean show, together meaning to indicate.

Characters in this word

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

The shape 表 pairs 衣 (garment) with 毛 (hair or feather), originally an outer garment.

Open 表 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 3Communication & Speech2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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