表达(biǎo dá) - to express, to convey in Mandarin

表达 (biǎo dá) is to express: to get a thought, a feeling or a meaning out of your head and into someone else's. It takes ideas, emotions and intentions as its object, and it is the right verb for what a song, a painting or a badly chosen sentence does.

Do not confuse it with 表示 (biǎo shì), which is to indicate or to signify. 表达 is about the effort of putting something across; 表示 is about what a sign or a gesture means. A shrug 表示 indifference, but a poet 表达 grief.

The reflexive is the trap for English speakers. There is no 表达自己 in ordinary use where English says "express myself". Say 表达我的意思 or 表达自己的想法 and name the thing being expressed.