表述

• Pinyin: biǎo shù
• Hanzi breakdown: 表 = 衣 (clothing) + 毛 (fur), originally depicting outer garments, hence 'external/express'; 述 = 辶 (walk) + 术 (art), meaning to follow and narrate

Meaning

To express; to articulate; to formulate. Used for conveying thoughts, ideas, or positions in a clear and organized manner.

More formal than 说 or 表达, often used in academic, professional, or official contexts. Emphasizes the structured articulation of complex ideas rather than casual communication. Common in written language and formal speeches.

Examples

1. 这篇论文的核心观点表述得非常清晰，逻辑严密。 The core arguments in this paper are articulated very clearly with rigorous logic.
2. 他在会上表述了公司对这项合作的基本立场。 He expressed the company's basic position on this collaboration at the meeting.
3. 学术写作最难的部分就是如何准确表述自己的研究发现。 The hardest part of academic writing is how to accurately articulate your research findings.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, professional, official

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请您简要表述一下贵方的核心诉求。(Please briefly articulate your core demands.)
• 这份报告表述了我们团队的研究结论。(This report expresses our team's research conclusions.)

Don't Say

• 我想表述一下今天想吃什么。(Don't use 表述 for casual everyday topics like what you want to eat — use 说 instead)

Origin & History

表 (to show, express) + 述 (to narrate, state). A compound indicating the formal presentation of ideas or facts.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated/Professional