Common word› JLPT N3 › Freq. Frequency Top 5,000 Conjugation 表す · godan verb (-su)
Form Positive Negative Dictionary 表あらわ す 表あらわ さない Polite 表あらわ します 表あらわ しません Past polite 表あらわ しました 表あらわ しませんでした Past 表あらわ した 表あらわ さなかった Te-form 表あらわ して 表あらわ さないで Desire 表あらわ したい 表あらわ したくない Potential 表あらわ せる 表あらわ せない Passive 表あらわ される 表あらわ されない Causative 表あらわ させる 表あらわ させない Causative passive 表あらわ させられる 表あらわ させられない Volitional 表あらわ そう Polite volitional 表あらわ しましょう Imperative 表あらわ せ 表あらわ すな Conditional 表あらわ せば 表あらわ さなければ Tara conditional 表あらわ したら 表あらわ さなかったら
Pairs with 現れる › Usage patterns 〈 物もの 〉 で 〈 事こと 〉 を 表あらわ す to represent/express something by means of something (a symbol, graph, word, etc.)
This graph represents the change in sales.
感かん 謝しゃ の 意い を 表あらわ す to express one's gratitude (formal)
I would like to express my gratitude for everyone's cooperation.
〈 感かん 情じょう 〉 を 顔かお に 表あらわ す to show an emotion on one's face
He showed his joy on his face.
〈 態たい 度ど 〉 に 表あらわ す to show something in one's attitude or manner
She showed her dissatisfaction through her attitude.
Expressions 名な を 表あらわ す distinguish oneself; make a name for oneself 用もち いて 表あらわ す express ... in terms of ...; represent ... using ... 名な は 体たい を 表あらわ す names and natures do often agree; the name says it all Kanji 現 present, existing, actual Transitive / intransitive Related words· 7 示す points out or demonstrates something concrete (data, evidence, direction), while 表す focuses on expressing or representing abstract ideas, feelings, or symbols.
表現する is the more common, everyday word for expressing thoughts or feelings, while 表す is slightly more formal and also covers symbolic representation.
表示する is used for displaying information visibly (on a screen, sign, or document), whereas 表す is broader and covers abstract or symbolic expression as well.
表す is the common everyday verb for expressing or showing something, while 表する is a more formal, literary variant used mainly in set phrases like 感謝の意を表する .
Show 3 more Show fewer 表す means to express or represent something outwardly, while 物語る implies that facts themselves speak to or attest to a deeper truth.
表す means to express or show something (in words, actions, or expression) in general, whereas 口に出す is limited to expressing it specifically through speech.
表す is a general verb for expressing or showing something, while 呈する is a more formal, literary verb often used for abstract qualities taking visible form.
Opposites 隠す means to hide or conceal something, the opposite of 表す 's sense of revealing or showing something openly.
表す means to show or express feelings openly, the opposite of 秘める , which means to keep them hidden inside.
覆う means to cover or hide something from view, while 現す means to reveal or show it, making the two roughly opposite in meaning.
Don't confuse with 現れる is intransitive (something appears by itself), while 表す is transitive (someone expresses or reveals something); learners often mix up the two forms.
表す shares the same reading あらわす but means 'to express or show (an idea, feeling)', unlike 著す which means 'to author or publish a written work'.
Word family express in words; put into words; describe verbally · confess; admit openly in words
write out; express in writing; describe · publish; put into print
represent by signs; symbolize; notate
Written forms 表あらわ す Usage 58%
Primary kanji for expressing, representing, and signifying. High frequency in news and general use.
あらわす Usage 15%
表あら わす Usage 13%
Variant with okurigana わ ; same meaning as 表す but less common in modern writing.
現あらわ す Usage 8%
Used when something hidden or internal becomes visible or manifests physically.
現あら わす Usage 5%
Variant of 現す with okurigana わ ; less common.
顕あらわ す Usage <1%
Rare kanji for making something widely known or manifesting honor; mostly in literary or formal contexts.
Etymology Derived from 現る (あらわる , 'to appear') with the transitive suffix す . The kanji 表 , 現 , and 顕 are used to distinguish nuances of expression, manifestation, and honorific revelation respectively.
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