Usage and Nuances
The word "表现" (biǎo xiàn) primarily means "to show" or "to express," often referring to how someone demonstrates qualities, emotions, or abilities through behavior or performance. It can be used both as a noun meaning "performance" or "expression," and as a verb meaning "to display" or "to manifest."
Common Contexts
- Performance at work or school: "工作表现" (work performance), "学习表现" (study performance).
- Artistic or stage performance: "舞台表现" (stage performance).
- Behavioral expression: Showing feelings or attitudes through actions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 表现出 + emotion/quality: to show or reveal a certain emotion or quality.
- 表现得 + adjective: to behave in a certain way.
- 工作表现: work performance.
Important Notes
When using "表现," the focus is often on observable actions or results rather than internal thoughts. It is more formal than some synonyms like "显示" (to display) and often used in evaluations or descriptions of conduct. Avoid confusing it with "表现力," which specifically refers to expressive ability or power.