1.
to express, to show, to represent
To make feelings, ideas, or information known.
感謝の気持ちを表す。
To express gratitude.
この言葉は何を表していますか。
What does this word represent?
顔に出して表さない。
Don't show it on your face.
喜びを言葉で表すのは難しい。
It's difficult to express joy in words.
この絵は作者の悲しみを表していて、色の使い方にもそれが見える。
This painting expresses the artist's sadness, and you can see it in the use of color too.
表す is a godan verb meaning to express, show, or represent.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Intransitive pair: 表れる (to appear, to be expressed)
KANJI DISTINCTIONS:
All read あらわす but have different nuances:
- 表す: to express (feelings, ideas, meaning)
- 現す: to reveal, make visible, show oneself
- 著す: to write, publish (a book)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 感謝を表す: to express gratitude
- 意見を表す: to express an opinion
- 言葉で表す: to express in words
- 顔に表さない: not show on one's face
RELATED:
- 表現: expression (noun)
- 表情: facial expression
- 表示: display, indication