Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== biǎomíng: 表明 - To Indicate, Make Clear, State Clearly ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** biaoming, biǎomíng, 表明, how to use biaoming, Chinese word for indicate, Chinese for make clear, show vs indicate in Chinese, biǎomíng vs shuōmíng, 表明 meaning, HSK 4 grammar * **Summary:** Learn how to use the essential Chinese verb **表明 (biǎomíng)**, which means "to indicate," "to make clear," or "to state clearly." This page breaks down its meaning, provides rich cultural context, and offers over 10 practical example sentences. Discover the crucial difference between 表明 (biǎomíng), 说明 (shuōmíng), and 表示 (biǎoshì) to elevate your formal and written Chinese. This is your complete guide to mastering how to show, prove, and indicate with precision. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** biǎo míng * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To make something clear or evident, often through facts, actions, or formal statements. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **表明 (biǎomíng)** as the verb for "the evidence shows..." or "actions speak louder than words." It's used when a fact, a piece of data, or a deliberate action points to a specific conclusion or reveals an underlying truth. It's more formal and objective than simply "saying" or "showing" something casually. It implies that something that was previously internal or unclear is now being made externally and clearly visible. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **表 (biǎo):** This character means "surface," "exterior," or "to express." Its original form depicted fur clothing, representing the //outside// of a person. This evolved to mean expressing what's on the inside, on the surface for all to see. * **明 (míng):** This character means "bright" or "clear." It's a beautiful combination of the sun (日) and the moon (月), the two brightest objects in the sky. Together, they symbolize ultimate clarity. * **The combination 表明 (biǎomíng)** literally means "to make the surface bright" or "to show clearly." It perfectly captures the essence of bringing a fact, intention, or truth out into the open, making it unmistakably clear for everyone to understand. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While not as deeply philosophical as concepts like [[关系]] (guānxi), **表明 (biǎomíng)** reveals a lot about Chinese communication norms. Traditionally, Chinese culture can value indirectness and subtlety (含蓄 - hánxù) to maintain social harmony. People often avoid direct confrontation or overly blunt statements. **表明 (biǎomíng)** is the tool you use when that subtlety needs to be set aside for clarity, especially in formal settings. It's a "clarifying" word. In the West, one might "speak their mind" to be direct. In China, one might **表明立场 (biǎomíng lìchǎng)**—"make one's position clear"—in a more structured, evidence-based way. It's less about emotional, spontaneous opinion and more about a considered, deliberate presentation of fact or intention. Using **表明** signals a shift to a more serious, objective, and unambiguous mode of communication. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **表明 (biǎomíng)** is frequently used in both written and spoken Chinese, but it carries a formal and objective tone. * **In News, Reports, and Academia:** This is the most common context. You'll see it constantly in news articles, scientific papers, and business reports. * //e.g., “调查结果表明...” (Diàochá jiéguǒ biǎomíng...) - "The survey results indicate..."// * //e.g., “研究表明...” (Yánjiū biǎomíng...) - "Research shows..."// * **Formal Statements and Diplomacy:** When a government spokesperson or a company representative makes an official statement, they use **表明** to declare their position or intention without ambiguity. * //e.g., “我在此表明公司的官方立场。” (Wǒ zài cǐ biǎomíng gōngsī de guānfāng lìchǎng.) - "I am hereby stating the company's official position."// * **Expressing Serious Personal Intent:** While less common in casual chat, you might use it in a serious conversation to make your feelings or decision absolutely clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding. * //e.g., “我这么做是为了表明我的决心。” (Wǒ zhème zuò shì wèile biǎomíng wǒ de juéxīn.) - "I'm doing this to make my determination clear."// ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 调查结果**表明**，大多数人都支持这个新政策。 * Pinyin: Diàochá jiéguǒ **biǎomíng**, dàduōshù rén dōu zhīchí zhège xīn zhèngcè. * English: The survey results indicate that the majority of people support this new policy. * Analysis: A classic, formal use. The "survey results" are the evidence that "indicates" a conclusion. * **Example 2:** * 他的沉默**表明**了他的不满。 * Pinyin: Tā de chénmò **biǎomíng** le tā de bùmǎn. * English: His silence showed his dissatisfaction. * Analysis: Here, an action (or lack thereof) serves as the evidence. The silence itself "makes clear" his feelings. * **Example 3:** * 研究**表明**，经常锻炼对健康有益。 * Pinyin: Yánjiū **biǎomíng**, jīngcháng duànliàn duì jiànkāng yǒuyì. * English: Research indicates that regular exercise is beneficial for health. * Analysis: Very common in scientific and academic contexts. The research data is the subject doing the "indicating". * **Example 4:** * 中国政府已多次**表明**其在台湾问题上的立场。 * Pinyin: Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ yǐ duōcì **biǎomíng** qí zài Táiwān wèntí shàng de lìchǎng. * English: The Chinese government has repeatedly made clear its position on the Taiwan issue. * Analysis: This is a prime example of formal, diplomatic language. It means "to state a position clearly and officially." * **Example 5:** * 他送她昂贵的礼物，以此**表明**他的诚意。 * Pinyin: Tā sòng tā ángguì de lǐwù, yǐ cǐ **biǎomíng** tā de chéngyì. * English: He gave her an expensive gift to show his sincerity. * Analysis: In a personal context, **表明** is used for a deliberate, meaningful gesture. The gift is a tangible manifestation of his sincere feelings. * **Example 6:** * 天上的乌云**表明**暴风雨即将来临。 * Pinyin: Tiānshàng de wūyún **biǎomíng** bàofēngyǔ jíjiāng láilín. * English: The dark clouds in the sky indicate that a storm is coming soon. * Analysis: This shows how natural phenomena can act as evidence. The clouds are a clear sign pointing to a future event. * **Example 7:** * 她的眼泪**表明**她内心非常难过。 * Pinyin: Tā de yǎnlèi **biǎomíng** tā nèixīn fēicháng nánguò. * English: Her tears showed that she was very sad inside. * Analysis: A physical reaction (tears) serves as the evidence that makes her internal state (sadness) clear. * **Example 8:** * 所有的证据都**表明**他是无辜的。 * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu de zhèngjù dōu **biǎomíng** tā shì wúgū de. * English: All the evidence indicates that he is innocent. * Analysis: Perfect for legal or logical contexts. "Evidence" (证据) is the subject that "indicates" the truth. * **Example 9:** * 我写这封信是为了向你**表明**我的决心。 * Pinyin: Wǒ xiě zhè fēng xìn shì wèile xiàng nǐ **biǎomíng** wǒ de juéxīn. * English: I am writing this letter in order to make my determination clear to you. * Analysis: A very deliberate and serious use. The letter is the formal medium used "to make clear" a strong personal resolve. * **Example 10:** * 销售额的下降**表明**公司的策略需要调整。 * Pinyin: Xiāoshòu'é de xiàjiàng **biǎomíng** gōngsī de cèlüè xūyào tiáozhěng. * English: The decline in sales figures indicates that the company's strategy needs adjustment. * Analysis: A typical business context. The data (sales figures) points to a necessary conclusion. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing **表明 (biǎomíng)** from similar words like **说明 (shuōmíng)** and **表示 (biǎoshì)**. * **表明 (biǎomíng) vs. 说明 (shuōmíng) - "To Indicate" vs. "To Explain"** * **表明 (biǎomíng):** Used when evidence, facts, or actions //imply// or //point to// a conclusion. The evidence speaks for itself. * **说明 (shuōmíng):** Used when a person or text actively //explains// //why// or //how//. It involves providing details, reasons, or instructions. * **Correct:** 他的眼泪**表明**他很难过。 (Tā de yǎnlèi **biǎomíng** tā hěn nánguò.) - His tears **indicate** he is sad. (The tears are the evidence). * **Correct:** 他向我**说明**了事情的经过。 (Tā xiàng wǒ **shuōmíng** le shìqing de jīngguò.) - He **explained** the course of events to me. (He used words to give an explanation). * **Incorrect:** 他向我**表明**了事情的经过。 (This sounds odd, as if his existence proved the course of events. You explain a process, you don't "indicate" it). * **表明 (biǎomíng) vs. 表示 (biǎoshì) - "To Indicate" vs. "To Express"** * **表示 (biǎoshì)** is a much broader and more common word. It means "to express" or "to show" and can be used for general feelings, opinions, and ideas. It's less formal. * **表明 (biǎomíng)** is more formal, objective, and tied to evidence. * **Use 表示 (biǎoshì)** for general expressions: 他**表示**感谢。(Tā **biǎoshì** gǎnxiè.) - He expressed his thanks. * **Use 表明 (biǎomíng)** when that expression is proven by a concrete fact: 他的礼物**表明**了他的感谢。(Tā de lǐwù **biǎomíng** le tā de gǎnxiè.) - His gift **indicated** his thanks. (The gift is the proof). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[说明]] (shuōmíng) - To explain; to illustrate. Focuses on providing a verbal or written explanation. * [[表示]] (biǎoshì) - To express; to show; to say. A very common and general-purpose verb for showing feelings or opinions. * [[显示]] (xiǎnshì) - To show; to display. Often used for things that are visually displayed, like on a screen or a monitor. * [[证明]] (zhèngmíng) - To prove. This is stronger than **表明**. **表明** indicates, but **证明** provides conclusive proof beyond doubt. * [[指出]] (zhǐchū) - To point out. Used when someone specifically calls attention to a particular fact or detail. * [[暗示]] (ànshì) - To hint; to imply. This is the opposite of **表明**. It's about being indirect and subtle. * [[立场]] (lìchǎng) - Stance; position. This is the "what" that is often being made clear, e.g., "表明立场" (to make one's position clear). * [[证据]] (zhèngjù) - Evidence; proof. This is the "how" of **表明**; the evidence is what does the indicating.