暴露

• Pinyin: bào lù
• Hanzi breakdown: 暴 = to expose; 露 = 雨 (rain) + 路, to reveal/dew

Meaning

To expose; to reveal; to be exposed. Making something hidden visible or known.

Can refer to physical exposure (to elements, danger) or revealing hidden information, secrets, or problems. Used in contexts ranging from medical (exposure to disease) to investigative (exposing corruption) to fashion (revealing clothing).

Examples

1. 这次审计暴露了公司财务管理的很多漏洞。 This audit exposed many loopholes in the company's financial management.
2. 长时间暴露在阳光下对皮肤不好。 Long-term exposure to sunlight is bad for the skin.
3. 他试图隐瞒，但最终还是暴露了自己的真实目的。 He tried to hide it, but ultimately exposed his true intentions.

Usage Guide

Context: investigation, health, disclosure

Tone: revealing

Do Say

• 真相终于暴露了。(The truth was finally exposed.)
• 这件事暴露出制度的缺陷。(This incident exposed flaws in the system.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'暴露'和'曝光'完全等同 (Don't treat 暴露 and 曝光 as identical — 暴露 can be accidental, while 曝光 often implies deliberate public disclosure)

Origin & History

Compound of 暴 (to expose, show) + 露 (to reveal, dew), both characters carrying meanings of making visible.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal