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HSK 3

表示

to express; to indicate; to show

verbneutral
表
biǎo3rd tone
示
shì4th tone

HSK level

1
2
3
4
5
6
Pinyin
biǎoshì
Part of speech
verb
Level
HSK 3
Strokes
13
Register
neutral

Stroke order for 表示

表示 is written with 13 strokes (表: 8, 示: 5). The animation replays automatically.

What does 表示 mean?

表示 (biǎoshì) means 'to express, indicate, or show,' typically referring to feelings, attitudes, opinions, or symbols that stand for something.

It has three core uses: first, expressing emotions or stances — 表示感谢 (express thanks), 表示同意 (indicate agreement); second, in formal speech for 'to state / say,' as in news reports — 总统表示... (The president stated...); third, signaling that something stands for or represents something else — 红灯表示停 (a red light means stop).

Two differences from English: first, 表示 is more formal than 'show' or 'say' — casual conversation prefers 说 (say) or 觉得 (think); second, 表示 frequently takes an abstract noun directly as its object (表示关心 'express concern'), without needing a connector word. It is the verb of choice for diplomatic, emotional, and symbolic communication.

Note: Slightly formal in tone. Common in news, official statements, and polite speech. In casual conversation, 说 or 觉得 often replaces it.

Character by character

表biǎooutside; to express; surface
+
示shìto show; to indicate
=
表示

Memory hook: 表 (outward) + 示 (show) — to bring something inner to the outside where it can be seen.

Example sentences

他表示非常感谢。

Tā biǎoshì fēicháng gǎnxiè.

He expressed his deepest thanks.

neutral

红灯表示停车。

Hóng dēng biǎoshì tíngchē.

A red light means stop.

neutral

大家都表示同意。

Dàjiā dōu biǎoshì tóngyì.

Everyone indicated their agreement.

neutral

老师表示对学生的关心。

Lǎoshī biǎoshì duì xuéshēng de guānxīn.

The teacher showed concern for the students.

written

Common phrases with 表示

表示感谢biǎoshì gǎnxièto express thanks
表示同意biǎoshì tóngyìto indicate agreement
表示关心biǎoshì guānxīnto show concern
表示祝贺biǎoshì zhùhèto offer congratulations
表示反对biǎoshì fǎnduìto express opposition

Synonyms

表达biǎodá

表达 emphasizes the act of communicating something complex (ideas, feelings, art): 表达想法 (express thoughts). 表示 is more about indicating a stance or symbol. Say 表达感情 (express emotions deeply) but 表示感谢 (express thanks formally).

说明shuōmíng

说明 means 'to explain / make clear' — focuses on clarification. 表示 just signals; 说明 elaborates with reasons. 这个例子说明了问题 (this example explains the problem) vs 这个例子表示了态度 (this example shows the attitude).

代表dàibiǎo

代表 ('to represent / stand for') is closer to 'symbolize.' 红色代表喜庆 (red represents celebration); 红色表示停止 (red indicates stop). 表示 is the act of indicating; 代表 is the role of standing in for.

Don't confuse 表示 with

表演biǎoyǎn

表演 means 'to perform' (a play, dance, song). Same first character but different meaning. 表示 is to express in words or gestures; 表演 is to put on a show.

表现biǎoxiàn

表现 means 'to manifest / to perform (behavior)' — how someone behaves or shows their character. 他表现很好 (he performed well / behaved well) vs 他表示感谢 (he expressed thanks).

表biǎo

Single-character 表 by itself often means 'watch' (手表) or 'form / chart' (表格). Not related to 表示 in meaning.

FAQ

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