jiēlù: 揭露 - To Expose, Reveal, Unmask

• Keywords: jielu, 揭露, what does jielu mean, expose in Chinese, reveal in Chinese, unmask in Chinese, Chinese word for scandal, investigative journalism in Chinese, whistleblowing in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the powerful Chinese word 揭露 (jiēlù), which means to expose, reveal, or unmask. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use. Discover how 揭露 is used in journalism and social media to bring hidden truths, scandals, and corruption to light, and learn how to use it correctly in your own sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiē lù
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To expose or reveal something previously hidden, especially something negative or scandalous.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 揭露 (jiēlù) as the action of a detective or an investigative journalist pulling back a curtain to show a crime or a conspiracy. It’s not just “revealing” a secret; it’s an active, often deliberate, act of bringing a dark truth into the light for everyone to see. The word carries a strong sense of uncovering wrongdoing and has a serious, formal tone.

• 揭 (jiē): This character means “to lift” or “to uncover.” The left side, 扌, is the “hand radical,” indicating an action performed with the hand. It's the same character used in 揭开 (jiēkāi), “to uncover” or “to lift open.”
• 露 (lù): This character means “to show,” “to reveal,” or “to be exposed.” Its radical is 雨 (yǔ), meaning “rain,” and it's often associated with things that are out in the open, like dew (露水 lùshuǐ).
• Together, 揭露 (jiēlù) literally means “to lift and show.” This combination creates a powerful visual of actively removing a cover to expose what lies beneath, emphasizing the deliberate act of making a hidden fact public.

In Chinese society, where social harmony and “face” (面子 miànzi) are highly valued, the act of 揭露 (jiēlù) is a significant event. It can disrupt the status quo and cause individuals or organizations to lose face on a massive scale. The term is central to the modern media landscape in China. News reports about official corruption, corporate fraud, or social injustices frequently use 揭露. It embodies a societal desire for transparency and justice, positioning the one who does the “exposing” (often a journalist or a whistleblower) as a courageous truth-teller. A useful Western comparison is the concept of “whistleblowing” or “investigative journalism.” While “to reveal” in English can be neutral (e.g., “revealing the winner”), 揭露 is almost exclusively used for negative or shocking truths. It's not about revealing a surprise party; it's about revealing a scandal. The act of 揭露 implies a moral dimension—that the hidden information *needed* to be brought to light for the public good.

揭露 (jiēlù) is a formal and strong word. You will encounter it most often in written contexts like news articles, official reports, documentaries, and serious online discussions.

• In Journalism and Media: This is the most common context. Journalists 揭露真相 (jiēlù zhēnxiàng - expose the truth) or 揭露内幕 (jiēlù nèimù - expose the inside story).
• On Social Media: Netizens (网友 wǎngyǒu) might use 揭露 to call out scams, corporate malpractice, or immoral behavior. It gives their accusations a sense of gravity and public service.
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always negative for the party being exposed, but positive or neutral for the person doing the exposing. It implies that a wrongdoing is being corrected by making it public. You would not use this for trivial matters.

• Example 1:
  • 这位记者揭露了政府官员的腐败行为。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi jìzhě jiēlùle zhèngfǔ guānyuán de fǔbài xíngwéi.
  • English: This journalist exposed the corrupt activities of a government official.
  • Analysis: A classic and common use of 揭露. It highlights the role of the press in holding power accountable.
• Example 2:
  • 这部纪录片揭露了食品行业背后不为人知的内幕。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù jìlùpiàn jiēlùle shípǐn hángyè bèihòu bùwéirénzhī de nèimù.
  • English: This documentary revealed the unknown inside story behind the food industry.
  • Analysis: Here, 揭露 is used to mean “uncover” or “reveal” a hidden system or “inside story” (内幕).
• Example 3:
  • 他的谎言最终被揭露了。
  • Pinyin: Tā de huǎngyán zuìzhōng bèi jiēlùle.
  • English: His lies were finally exposed.
  • Analysis: The passive voice (被 bèi) is very common with 揭露, emphasizing that the hidden thing was brought to light.
• Example 4:
  • 许多网友在网上揭露这家公司的骗局。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō wǎngyǒu zài wǎngshàng jiēlù zhè jiā gōngsī de piànjú.
  • English: Many netizens are exposing this company's scam online.
  • Analysis: This shows how 揭露 is used in the modern context of social media and online activism.
• Example 5:
  • 这本书大胆地揭露了社会中存在的不公。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū dǎdǎn de jiēlùle shèhuì zhōng cúnzài de bùgōng.
  • English: This book bravely exposes the injustices that exist in society.
  • Analysis: The adverb 大胆地 (dàdǎn de - bravely) often accompanies 揭露, highlighting the courage required to do so.
• Example 6:
  • 我们必须揭露事情的真相，还受害者一个公道。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū jiēlù shìqing de zhēnxiàng, huán shòuhàizhě yīgè gōngdào.
  • English: We must expose the truth of the matter to give justice to the victims.
  • Analysis: This sentence connects 揭露 directly to the concept of justice (公道 gōngdào).
• Example 7:
  • 通过调查，警方揭露了一个庞大的犯罪网络。
  • Pinyin: Tōngguò diàochá, jǐngfāng jiēlùle yīgè pángdà de fànzuì wǎngluò.
  • English: Through their investigation, the police uncovered a massive criminal network.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a law enforcement context.
• Example 8:
  • 一封匿名信揭露了他的真实身份。
  • Pinyin: Yī fēng nìmíng xìn jiēlùle tā de zhēnshí shēnfèn.
  • English: An anonymous letter revealed his true identity.
  • Analysis: The subject doing the “exposing” can be an inanimate object like a letter or a piece of evidence.
• Example 9:
  • 他试图掩盖事实，但最终还是被揭露了出来。
  • Pinyin: Tā shìtú yǎngài shìshí, dàn zuìzhōng háishì bèi jiēlùle chūlái.
  • English: He tried to cover up the facts, but in the end, they were still exposed.
  • Analysis: The directional complement 出来 (chūlái) adds a sense of “out into the open,” strengthening the meaning of 揭露.
• Example 10:
  • 这份报告揭露了严重的环境污染问题。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào jiēlùle yánzhòng de huánjìng wūrǎn wèntí.
  • English: This report exposed serious environmental pollution problems.
  • Analysis: The term can be used to expose not just actions, but also problems or situations.

• False Friend: “Reveal”: The most common mistake is using 揭露 for neutral or positive revelations. You do not 揭露 a new product or a birthday surprise.
  • Incorrect: 他揭露了他的新车。(Tā jiēlùle tā de xīnchē.) This sounds like his new car is part of a criminal conspiracy.
  • Correct: 他展示了他的新车。(Tā zhǎnshìle tā de xīnchē.) - He showed off his new car.
  • Correct: 公司公布了新产品。(Gōngsī gōngbùle xīn chǎnpǐn.) - The company announced a new product.
• 揭露 (jiēlù) vs. 暴露 (bàolù): These are easily confused.
  • 揭露 (jiēlù) is an intentional, active effort to expose someone else's secret or wrongdoing. It's an action you *do* to something.
    • Example: 记者揭露了丑闻。(Jìzhě jiēlùle chǒuwén.) - The journalist *exposed* the scandal. (Intentional)
  • 暴露 (bàolù) means “to be exposed” or “to reveal,” but it can be unintentional and often refers to a weakness, flaw, or position being revealed by accident. It can also refer to physical exposure.
    • Example: 他的行为暴露了他的无知。(Tā de xíngwéi bàolùle tā de wúzhī.) - His actions *revealed* his ignorance. (Unintentional revelation of a flaw).
    • Example: 军队的位置暴露了。(Jūnduì de wèizhì bàolùle.) - The army's position was *exposed*. (Unintentional)

• 揭发 (jiēfā) - To expose and report wrongdoing, often to an authority. It's more focused on the act of reporting than just making it public.
• 暴露 (bàolù) - A close synonym, but often refers to unintentional exposure or the revelation of a flaw or weakness.
• 公布 (gōngbù) - To announce or make public. This is neutral and official, used for things like results, names, or new policies.
• 透露 (tòulù) - To leak or disclose a piece of information, often in a less formal or partial way.
• 公开 (gōngkāi) - To make public; open. Can be a verb or an adjective (e.g., an open secret - 公开的秘密). It's a more general and neutral term.
• 真相 (zhēnxiàng) - The truth; the real story. This is the “what” that often gets revealed by 揭露.
• 丑闻 (chǒuwén) - A scandal. The typical subject of a 揭露.
• 内幕 (nèimù) - The inside story; behind-the-scenes information. What journalists and whistleblowers often 揭露.
• 举报 (jǔbào) - To report (illegal or improper conduct) to the authorities. Similar to 揭发 but more formal and legal.