阐述

• Pinyin: chǎn shù
• Hanzi breakdown: 阐 = 门 (gate) + 单 (single, phonetic) — to open and clarify; 述 = 辶 (movement radical) + 术 (skill, phonetic)

Meaning

To expound; to elaborate; to set forth in detail. To explain or develop an idea, position, or viewpoint systematically.

A formal register verb common in academic writing, official speeches, and professional presentations. Implies a structured, reasoned explanation rather than a casual description. Often collocates with 详细 (in detail), 充分 (fully), and objects like 观点 (viewpoint), 立场 (position), 理论 (theory). More formal than 解释 and more substantive than 说明.

Examples

1. 教授在论文答辩中对研究方法的局限性进行了详细阐述，令评委印象深刻。 The professor gave a detailed exposition of the limitations of the research methodology during the thesis defence, leaving a strong impression on the panel.
2. 发言人在记者会上就政府的新能源政策作了系统阐述，并耐心回答了媒体的提问。 The spokesperson gave a systematic account of the government's new energy policy at the press conference and patiently answered media questions.
3. 这部著作首次系统阐述了文化资本的概念，对后续社会学研究影响极为深远。 This work was the first to systematically expound the concept of cultural capital and has had a profound influence on subsequent sociological research.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, journalism, policy, presentations, debates

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请您就此次改革的核心目标向委员会作进一步阐述。(Please elaborate further to the committee on the core objectives of this reform.)
• 论文第三章系统阐述了本研究的理论框架及其在实证研究中的应用。(Chapter three of the thesis systematically expounds the theoretical framework of this study and its application in empirical research.)

Don't Say

• 他跟朋友阐述了昨天发生的事。(阐述 sounds overly formal for casual conversation — use 说 or 讲 instead: 他跟朋友说了昨天发生的事)

Origin & History

阐 (to open up, to make clear) + 述 (to narrate, to explain). To unfold and narrate an idea in depth.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal