Meaning of 表情
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- (facial) expression
- to express one's feelings
How to use 表情
表情 is most often a noun for a facial expression, and it is also the everyday word for emoji or stickers in chat apps. Common verbs with it are 做表情 (make a face) and 没有表情 (expressionless). Example: 他的表情很奇怪。(Tā de biǎoqíng hěn qíguài.) His expression is very strange.
表 (biǎo) means the surface or what shows on the outside, and 情 (qíng) means feelings, as in 心情 (xīnqíng). Put them together: 表情 is your feelings showing on the surface of your face.
Common mistake: Learners often use 表情 as a verb meaning "to express," as in 我想表情我的感谢. For expressing thanks or opinions, use 表示 (biǎoshì) or 表达 (biǎodá) instead. Also keep the first syllable in third tone, biǎo, not fourth.
表情 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
表 biǎo · exterior surface · 8 strokes
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情 qíng · feelings · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 表情.
| 事情 | shìqing | affair; matter; thing; business |
| 爱情 | àiqíng | romance; love (romantic) |
| 心情 | xīnqíng | mood; frame of mind |
| 表示 | biǎoshì | (of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show |
| 热情 | rèqíng | cordial; enthusiastic |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 情况 | qíngkuàng | circumstances; state of affairs; situation |
| 代表 | dàibiǎo | representative; delegate |
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | play; show |
| 表现 | biǎoxiàn | to show; to show off |
| 感情 | gǎnqíng | emotion; sentiment; affection; feelings between two persons |
| 表达 | biǎodá | to express; to convey |
Questions about 表情
What does 表情 mean?
表情 (biǎoqíng) means "(facial) expression; to express one's feelings" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 表情?
表情 is made of 2 characters: 表 (8 strokes), 情 (11 strokes). That is 19 strokes in total.
Is 表情 an HSK word?
Yes. 表情 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do you say emoji in Chinese?
In casual speech people simply say 表情 or 表情包 (biǎoqíngbāo). 表情包 usually means a set of funny sticker images or memes. 发个表情 (fā ge biǎoqíng) means to send an emoji.
What is the difference between 表情 and 心情?
表情 is what others can see on your face. 心情 (xīnqíng) is your inner mood, which may or may not show. You can say 他心情不好，但表情很平静, meaning he is in a bad mood but his face looks calm.