1.
exposed; bare; uncovered
Physically exposed or revealed, with nothing covering or concealing something. Describes a state where something that is normally hidden is visible.
肌が露になった。
Her skin was exposed.
工事で地面の下の岩盤が露になった。
The construction work exposed the bedrock beneath the ground.
崖崩れで山の地肌が露になり、赤茶けた土が見えていた。
The landslide left the bare surface of the mountain exposed, revealing reddish-brown earth.
2.
undisguised; blatant; open
Openly showing emotions, intentions, or attitudes without trying to conceal them. Often implies a lack of restraint or social tact.
不満を露にした。
He openly showed his dissatisfaction.
彼は敵意を露にして近づいてきた。
He approached with undisguised hostility.
記者会見で社長は怒りを露にし、報道の内容を強く否定した。
At the press conference, the president openly showed his anger and strongly denied the content of the reports.
Can be written as 露 or 露わ. Functions as a na-adjective but is most commonly used in the pattern 「Xを露にする」 (to expose X / to openly display X).
SENSE 1 (exposed):
Describes physical exposure or uncovering.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (exposed):
- 肌が露になる (skin becomes exposed)
- 地肌が露になる (bare ground is exposed)
SENSE 2 (undisguised):
Describes openly displaying emotions or attitudes.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS (undisguised):
- 不満を露にする (openly show dissatisfaction)
- 敵意を露にする (show open hostility)
- 怒りを露にする (openly display anger)
- 本性を露にする (reveal one's true nature)
USAGE NOTES:
Not to be confused with 現れる (to appear) or 表す (to express). 露 specifically implies something hidden becoming visible or someone dropping their pretense.