Core Meanings
The character 表 (biǎo) primarily means 'surface' or 'exterior,' but it is widely used to mean 'to show,' 'to express,' or 'to display.' It can refer to physical surfaces, like the face of a clock or a table, or abstract expressions, such as facial expressions or data charts.
Common Uses
- 表 as 'form' or 'chart': Often used to refer to documents like forms, tables, or charts (e.g., 报表, 时间表).
- 表情 (biǎoqíng): Facial expression, a very common compound.
- 表示 (biǎoshì): To express or indicate.
Collocations and Patterns
- 表情 (facial expression): Used to describe emotions shown on the face.
- 时间表 (schedule, timetable): A chart showing time arrangements.
- 表示感谢 (to express thanks): A common phrase to show gratitude.
Usage Notes
When using 表 to mean 'to express' or 'to show,' it often appears in compounds like 表示 or 表达. As a noun, it can mean a physical chart or form. Be careful not to confuse 表 (surface, show) with 里 (lǐ), which means 'inside.'
Register and Tone
表 is neutral in tone and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese. It appears in formal documents (like 表格) and everyday conversation (like 表情).