Meaning of 表现
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to show
- to show off
- to display
- to manifest
- expression
- manifestation
- show
- display
How to use 表现
表现 is very often used for someone's performance or behavior, at school, at work, or in a game. As a verb it means to show or display a quality, and as a noun it means performance or a sign of something. Example: 他今天表现很好。(Tā jīntiān biǎoxiàn hěn hǎo.) He did really well today.
表 (biǎo) means the outside surface, as in a 手表 (shǒubiǎo) worn on the outside of your wrist, and 现 (xiàn) means to appear, as in 出现 (chūxiàn). Put them together and 表现 is what appears on the surface for others to see: how you show yourself.
Common mistake: Learners mix up 表现 with 表示 (biǎoshì). 表示 is to express or state something in words or gestures, like 表示感谢 (to express thanks), while 表现 is about behavior or performance that others observe.
表现 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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现 xiàn · to appear · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 表现.
| 现在 | xiànzài | now; at present; currently |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to notice; to become aware of; to discover; to find; to detect |
| 出现 | chūxiàn | to appear; to arise; to emerge; to show up |
| 表示 | biǎoshì | (of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show |
| 实现 | shíxiàn | to achieve; to implement; to realize; to bring about |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 代表 | dàibiǎo | representative; delegate |
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | play; show |
| 现场 | xiànchǎng | the scene (of a crime, accident etc); (on) the spot |
| 现实 | xiànshí | reality; actuality; real; actual |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash |
| 表达 | biǎodá | to express; to convey |
Questions about 表现
What does 表现 mean?
表现 (biǎoxiàn) means "to show; to show off" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 表现?
表现 is made of 2 characters: 表 (8 strokes), 现 (8 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 表现 an HSK word?
Yes. 表现 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 表现 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 表现 is written 表現.
Can 表现 mean showing off in a negative way?
Yes. In phrases like 爱表现 (ài biǎoxiàn), it describes someone who likes to show off or seek attention. The context tells you whether it is neutral praise or mild criticism.
How do I say someone performed badly using 表现?
You can say 表现不好 (biǎoxiàn bù hǎo) or 表现得不好 (biǎoxiàn de bù hǎo). For example, 他考试表现得不好 means he did poorly on the exam.