Meaning of 表明
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to make clear
- to make known
- to state clearly
- to indicate
- known
How to use 表明
表明 is used when a person states a position clearly, or when evidence or facts indicate something. It often appears in news, reports and formal speech, usually followed by a clause or a noun like 态度 (tàidu, attitude) or 立场 (lìchǎng, position). Example: 研究表明，运动对健康有好处。 (Yánjiū biǎomíng, yùndòng duì jiànkāng yǒu hǎochù.) Research shows that exercise is good for health.
表 (biǎo) means to show on the outside, like the surface of something, and 明 (míng) means bright or clear. To 表明 is to bring something out to the surface and make it clear for everyone to see.
Common mistake: Learners often use 表明 where 表示 (biǎoshì) fits better. 表示 is for expressing feelings like thanks or welcome, as in 表示感谢, while 表明 stresses making a stance or fact clear, so 表明感谢 sounds wrong.
表明 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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明 míng · bright · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 表明.
| 明白 | míngbai | clear; obvious; unequivocal; sensible; reasonable |
| 明天 | míngtiān | tomorrow |
| 明年 | míngnián | next year |
| 表示 | biǎoshì | (of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show |
| 说明 | shuōmíng | to explain; to illustrate |
| 明星 | míngxīng | star; celebrity |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 证明 | zhèngmíng | proof; certificate |
| 代表 | dàibiǎo | representative; delegate |
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | play; show |
| 表现 | biǎoxiàn | to show; to show off |
| 明显 | míngxiǎn | clear; distinct |
Questions about 表明
What does 表明 mean?
表明 (biǎomíng) means "to make clear; to make known" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 表明?
表明 is made of 2 characters: 表 (8 strokes), 明 (8 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 表明 an HSK word?
Yes. 表明 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 表明 and 说明?
说明 (shuōmíng) means to explain or illustrate something in detail, so it focuses on making others understand how or why. 表明 focuses on making a position or conclusion clear. You 说明 a rule, but you 表明 your attitude.
Can 表明 be used in casual conversation?
It can, but it sounds a bit formal. In everyday talk people often say 说清楚 (shuō qīngchu) or 看得出来 (kàn de chūlái) instead. 表明 is most natural in writing, news and serious discussions.