表现

• Pinyin: biǎo xiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 表 = 衣 (clothing) + 毛 (fur), meaning to express; 现 = 王 (jade) + 见 (see), meaning to appear

Meaning

To show; to display; performance; behaviour. Refers to how someone acts or performs in a given situation.

Used both as a verb (to display qualities or behaviour) and as a noun (performance, conduct). Very common in school, work, and sports contexts. Can describe both positive and negative performance.

Examples

1. 他今天在比赛中的表现非常出色。 His performance in today's competition was outstanding.
2. 孩子在学校表现得很好，老师经常表扬他。 The child behaves well at school, and the teacher often praises him.
3. 她在面试中表现得很自信。 She came across as very confident in the interview.

Usage Guide

Context: school, work, sports, everyday

Tone: evaluative

Do Say

• 你最近工作表现很好。(Your work performance has been great recently.)
• 他在这次考试中表现得不太理想。(His performance on this exam was not ideal.)

Don't Say

• 表现你的书给我看 (Don't use 表现 to mean physically showing an object — use 给我看 or 展示. 表现 is for displaying behaviour, ability, or qualities)

Origin & History

Compound of 表 (to express) and 现 (to appear, present), literally 'to express and present outwardly.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal