表 (biǎo) - surface, exterior & to show, to express

表Tone 3

biǎo ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 衣

傲不

表 · biǎo

surface, exterior;

to show, to express;

meter, gauge;

table, chart;

a form;

relative (in family relationships)

surface, exteriorto show, to expressmeter, gauge

Usage highlights

WatchForm/TableExpressionSurfaceRepresentativeMeter/Gauge

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 里— inside, interior
  • 内— internal, inner

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is wearing a watch (手表).
  • Please fill out this form (表格).
  • The temperature is shown on the thermometer (温度表).
  • She expressed her opinion (表达意见).

Collocations

  • Watch(手表)
  • Form/Table(表格)
  • Expression(表达)
  • Surface(表面)
  • Representative(代表)
  • Meter/Gauge(仪表)

Idioms

  • Outwardly strong but inwardly weak(外强中干)
  • Virtue in appearance(表里如一)
  • Superficial knowledge(略知皮毛)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a fur coat worn with the fur facing outward, emphasizing the external surface.
  • Used in family terms to denote relationships through the maternal line (e.g., 表哥 - maternal cousin).
  • In modern contexts, it is heavily associated with measurement and data presentation (e.g., 图表 - chart).

FAQ