显得

• Pinyin: xiǎn de
• Hanzi breakdown: 显 = 日 (sun) + 业 (simplified component), meaning to show or appear; 得 = 彳 (step) + 寸 (inch) + other components, here functioning as a structural particle

Meaning

To appear; to seem; to look. Indicates that something gives a certain impression or appears to have a certain quality.

Used to describe how something looks or appears to others, often implying a contrast between appearance and expectation. It is followed by an adjective or adjective phrase. Different from 看起来 which is more neutral; 显得 often suggests the appearance may differ from the underlying truth or that a change has caused a new impression.

Examples

1. 穿了这件衣服，她显得更年轻了。 Wearing this outfit, she looks younger.
2. 房间里放了花，显得更温馨了。 With flowers in the room, it feels cosier.
3. 他今天显得特别高兴。 He seems particularly happy today.

Usage Guide

Context: description, everyday, writing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这样做显得更专业。(Doing it this way looks more professional.)
• 他的回答显得有些犹豫。(His answer seemed somewhat hesitant.)

Don't Say

• 这个显得是红色的。(Don't use 显得 with 是 + noun — 显得 is followed by adjectives. Say 这个看起来是红色的 instead.)

Origin & History

显 means 'to show' or 'to appear' and 得 is a structural particle linking a verb to its complement. Together they mean 'to come across as' or 'to appear to be'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal