陈列

• Pinyin: chén liè
• Hanzi breakdown: 陈 = 阝 (hill) + 东 (east, phonetic); 列 = 歹 (bone/bad) + 刂 (knife)

Meaning

To display; to exhibit; to arrange for show. Used for displaying goods, artworks, or museum pieces.

Commonly used in retail, museums, and exhibitions. Implies careful arrangement for viewing. Can be used as both verb and noun (陈列品 = displayed items). More formal than 摆放.

Examples

1. 博物馆陈列着许多珍贵的历史文物。 The museum displays many precious historical artifacts.
2. 橱窗里陈列的新款服装吸引了很多顾客。 The new clothing displayed in the window attracted many customers.
3. 这家店的商品陈列很有设计感。 This store's merchandise display has a real sense of design.

Usage Guide

Context: museums, retail, exhibitions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 展厅里陈列着各种古代瓷器。(Various ancient porcelain pieces are displayed in the exhibition hall.)
• 商品陈列的方式会影响顾客的购买欲望。(The way products are displayed affects customers' desire to buy.)

Don't Say

• 把书陈列在桌子上 (For casual placement at home, use 放 or 摆 — 陈列 implies formal or commercial display)

Origin & History

Compound of 陈 (to arrange, to display) and 列 (to line up, row). Both characters convey the idea of orderly arrangement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal