to express; to convey
HSK level
表达 is written with 14 strokes (表: 8, 达: 6). The animation replays automatically.
表达 (biǎodá) is a verb meaning 'to express or convey' — to put an inner thought, feeling, or intention into words or another outward form.
It differs from 说 (to say) by focusing on the successful communication of something internal: you 表达 your gratitude, your opinion, your love, your point of view. It can also serve as a noun ('expression'), as in 语言表达能力 (language-expression ability).
English speakers should note that 表达 usually takes an abstract object — feelings, ideas, respect — rather than concrete information; for reporting plain facts you would use 说 or 告诉. It is a step more formal and considered than 说, which is why teachers praise a student's 表达能力 rather than their 说话能力.
Note: Slightly more deliberate than plain 说; common in both speech and writing when talking about conveying feelings, ideas, or gratitude.
Character by character
Memory hook: 'Show' (表) it until it 'reaches' (达) the listener — that's expressing yourself.
我不知道怎么表达我的感谢。
Wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme biǎodá wǒ de gǎnxiè.
I don't know how to express my thanks.
spoken
他用中文清楚地表达了自己的想法。
Tā yòng Zhōngwén qīngchu de biǎodá le zìjǐ de xiǎngfǎ.
He clearly expressed his ideas in Chinese.
neutral
这幅画表达了作者对家乡的爱。
Zhè fú huà biǎodá le zuòzhě duì jiāxiāng de ài.
This painting expresses the artist's love for his hometown.
written
有的感情很难用语言表达。
Yǒu de gǎnqíng hěn nán yòng yǔyán biǎodá.
Some feelings are hard to put into words.
neutral
表示 means 'to indicate / show / express' but leans toward a stated stance or gesture (表示同意 = to express agreement). 表达 emphasizes conveying inner feelings or complex ideas in full, while 表示 often marks a brief, formal signal of attitude.
表现 means 'to display / manifest' through behavior or performance, often unintentionally. 表达 is a deliberate act of putting something into words; 表现 is how you come across through action.
Both start with 表 and overlap, but 表示 is 'to indicate/signal a stance' while 表达 is 'to convey a feeling or idea fully.' You 表示 agreement briefly; you 表达 your gratitude at length.
达到 means 'to reach / attain (a level or goal).' It shares 达 with 表达 but is about arriving at a target, not communicating a thought.
Acquire it by listening
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