揭

• Pinyin: jiē
• Hanzi breakdown: 揭 = 扌(hand) + 曷, to lift off/uncover with hands

Meaning

To uncover; to expose; to tear off; to reveal.

The action of removing a covering or exposing something hidden. Used literally for removing lids, bandages, or stickers, and figuratively for exposing secrets or scandals. Appears in compounds like 揭露 (expose) and 揭开 (uncover).

Examples

1. 记者揭露了这家公司长期偷税漏税的丑闻。 The journalist exposed the scandal of this company's long-term tax evasion.
2. 伤口还没好，不要急着揭掉绷带。 The wound hasn't healed yet; don't rush to remove the bandage.
3. 魔术师最后揭开了谜底，观众恍然大悟。 The magician finally revealed the secret, and the audience suddenly understood.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, everyday, mystery

Tone: dramatic

Do Say

• 真相终于被揭开了。(The truth was finally revealed.)
• 慢慢揭下来，别弄疼了。(Peel it off slowly, don't hurt yourself.)

Don't Say

• 用揭描述打开容器 (揭 is for peeling/uncovering — use 打开 for opening containers)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic: 扌(hand) + 曷 (phonetic). The hand radical indicates a manual action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal