(biǎo míng) - to make clear, to indicate, to show in Mandarin
biǎomíngTraditional: 表明
Translation
to make clear, to indicate, to show
Word origin
A compound of 表 (biǎo, outer surface, to show outwardly) and 明 (míng, clear, bright): to bring something out into the clear.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 表 (biǎo, to show) + 明 (míng, clear)
Stroke order
表
明
Examples
。
These figures show that the situation is improving.
。
He never made his own position clear.
：。
I want to make one thing clear: I do not agree with this claim.
。
Her expression showed how disappointed she was.
。
The government has indicated it will go on supporting this plan.
表明 (biǎo míng) is to make something clear, either by stating it or by being evidence for it. Data 表明 a trend, an expression 表明 a mood, and a person 表明 their position. It sits in writing, news and formal speech far more often than in casual chat.
Its natural objects are abstract: 态度 an attitude, 立场 a position, 决心 resolve, or a whole clause introduced without any linking word. 数字表明情况在变好 needs nothing between the subject and the clause.
The trap is confusing it with 表示. 表示 is to express, and it can carry short quoted speech or a feeling: 他表示感谢. 表明 is stronger and more definitive, closer to "make clear" or "demonstrate", and it is the one you want when evidence is doing the work rather than a speaker. Neither is 说明, which explains how something works.
Where this fits
Add to review queue
Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.
Go to my review queueMandarin · Free printables
表明: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "表明" (to make clear, to indicate, to show): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 59.