显示

• Pinyin: xiǎn shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 显 = 日 (sun) + 业 (simplified component), meaning to show; 示 = pictograph of an altar, extended to mean to show or indicate

Meaning

To show; to display; to indicate. To make something visible or apparent, often used for data, screens, or evidence.

Commonly used in technology contexts for screen displays (显示屏 = display screen) and in formal contexts for presenting data or evidence. It implies actively making information visible or demonstrating a fact. More formal than 表示 and more specific than 展示. Frequently used with research results, statistics, and electronic displays.

Examples

1. 手机屏幕上显示了一条新消息。 A new message appeared on the phone screen.
2. 数据显示这个城市的人口在增长。 The data shows that the population of this city is growing.
3. 地图上显示这里有一家医院。 The map shows there is a hospital here.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, data, formal reports

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 屏幕显示时间是下午三点。(The screen shows the time is 3 PM.)
• 调查结果显示大多数人同意。(The survey results show that most people agree.)

Don't Say

• 他显示了他的高兴。(Don't use 显示 for personal emotions in everyday speech — say 他表现出了高兴 or 他看起来很高兴.)

Origin & History

显 means 'to show' or 'to manifest' and 示 means 'to indicate' or 'to display'. Together they mean 'to make something clearly visible'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal