Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

表れ (あらわれ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

表あらわれ

あ

ら

わ

れ

Common word›JLPTN3›Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

manifestation; embodiment; expression; indication

Refers to something abstract becoming visible or concrete: a sign, symptom, result, or outward expression of an inner state or quality.

彼かれ

の

行こう

動どう

は

愛あい

情じょう

の

表あらわ

れ

だ

。

His actions are an expression of affection.

この症しょう状じょうは病びょう気きの現あらわれかもしれない。

This symptom may be a manifestation of an illness.

数すう字じの増ぞう加かは景けい気き回かい復ふくの表あらわれと言いえる。

The increase in numbers can be seen as an indication of economic recovery.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉の表あらわれa manifestation/sign of something
これは彼かれの優やさしさの表あらわれだ。
This is a manifestation of his kindness.
〈事こと〉の表あらわれとしてas an expression of something
感かん謝しゃの表あらわれとして贈おくり物ものをした。
I gave a gift as an expression of gratitude.

Kanji

現present, existing, actual
表surface, table, chart
顕appear, existing

Related words

象しょう徴ちょうN1
象徴 is a deliberate or culturally recognized symbol, while 表れ is simply the visible sign or result of an inner feeling or quality.
兆ちょう候こうN1
兆候 usually refers to an early sign or symptom of a coming change, whereas 表れ points to an outward manifestation of something already present.
証あかしN1
証 emphasizes proof or testimony of something, while 表れ focuses on the visible form that an inner state takes.

Don't confuse with

表ひょう現げんN3
表現 means the active act of expressing something (e.g. in words or art), while 表れ is the resulting outward sign or manifestation of a feeling or quality.

Word family

現あらわれるN3
appear; become visible; materialize · be expressed; become apparent; show itself
現あらわれ出でる
appear; emerge; come out

Written forms

表あらわれUsage27%
Common kanji spelling for manifestation, expression, or indication. High news frequency.
現あらわれUsage28%
Also common; often used for physical appearance or embodiment.
あらわれUsage24%
現あらわれUsage15%
Variant with okurigana われ; less common but still seen.

Etymology

Noun form of the verb 現れる/表れる (to appear, to be revealed). The kanji 現 suggests physical appearance, while 表 suggests expression or indication, but in practice they overlap.

表あらわれ

Usage7%

Rare variant with okurigana われ.

顕あらわれ

Rare kanji; used in literary or specialized contexts for manifestation.