表现

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biǎoxiàn: 表现 - Performance, Expression, to Show, to Display

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: biǎoxiàn, 表现, Chinese performance, Chinese expression, how to say performance in Chinese, biǎoxiàn meaning, biǎoxiàn examples, what does 表现 mean, Chinese work performance, show vs perform in Chinese, HSK 4
  • Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese word 表现 (biǎoxiàn), a versatile term that means both “performance” (at work, school, or in sports) and “to show” or “to express” (feelings, qualities). This page breaks down the cultural significance of `表现` in a society that values observable actions, provides over 10 practical example sentences, and clarifies the key difference between `表现` (general performance) and `表演` (artistic performance) to avoid common mistakes.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): biǎo xiàn
  • Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: To show, display, or manifest; a performance, expression, or manifestation.
  • In a Nutshell: `表现` is all about what you can see. It's the outward evidence of your skills, effort, feelings, or character. Think of it as the bridge between your internal state and how the world perceives you. At work, your `表现` is your overall job performance. In school, it's your academic performance. When you're feeling a certain way, how you act is your `表现`. It’s about making the internal, external.

Character Breakdown

  • 表 (biǎo): This character means “surface,” “outside,” or “to show.” Imagine it as the outer layer of something, the part that everyone sees. It's also used in words like `手表 (shǒubiǎo)` (wristwatch) and `表格 (biǎogé)` (a form/table).
  • 现 (xiàn): This character means “to appear,” “to manifest,” or “present.” It contains the radical for “see” (见) and originally related to a piece of jade being revealed. It signifies something becoming visible or coming into being.
  • Combined Meaning: Together, 表 (surface/show) + 现 (appear) literally means “to show-appear” or “to manifest on the surface.” This perfectly captures the idea of an observable performance or expression.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on observable actions and one's role within a group (family, company, society). `表现` is the primary way your value, diligence, and respect are judged. It's less about “what you're feeling inside” and more about “what you are demonstrating to others.”
  • Comparison to Western “Authenticity”: While Western culture often prizes “being true to yourself” and spontaneous self-expression, Chinese culture can place a higher value on a “good `表现`.” A good `表现` means behaving appropriately for the situation, showing respect, and fulfilling your role competently. For example, at a family dinner, enthusiastically praising the food and engaging politely with elders is a good `表现`, regardless of your actual mood. This isn't seen as “fake,” but as respectful and socially skilled.
  • Connection to 面子 (miànzi): `表现` is deeply tied to the concept of “face” (面子). A good performance (`表现好`) at work or school brings “face” to you, your family, and your superiors. Conversely, a poor performance (`表现不好`) can lead to a loss of face for everyone involved. Therefore, there's significant social pressure to always maintain a good `表现`.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • At Work and School (Noun): This is the most common context. It refers to your overall performance, including your work quality, attitude, and diligence.
    • `工作表现 (gōngzuò biǎoxiàn)` - work performance
    • `学习表现 (xuéxí biǎoxiàn)` - academic performance
  • Expressing Qualities or Feelings (Verb): Used to describe how someone acts or the qualities they display.
    • `他表现得很勇敢 (tā biǎoxiàn de hěn yǒnggǎn)` - He acted very bravely.
    • `她表现出极大的兴趣 (tā biǎoxiàn chū jí dà de xìngqù)` - She showed great interest.
  • “Showing Off” (Negative Connotation): When someone is trying too hard to be noticed, you can say they `爱表现 (ài biǎoxiàn)`, which means “loves to show off” or “is an attention-seeker.”
  • In Relationships: When meeting a potential partner's parents, you are expected to `好好表现 (hǎohǎo biǎoxiàn)`—to “perform well” by being polite, capable, and respectful.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1: (Work Performance - Noun)
    • 你这个月的表现很好，老板很满意。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ zhège yuè de biǎoxiàn hěn hǎo, lǎobǎn hěn mǎnyì.
    • English: Your performance this month was very good; the boss is very satisfied.
    • Analysis: This is the classic use of `表现` as a noun to mean “work performance.” It's a standard phrase in any workplace evaluation.
  • Example 2: (Acting a Certain Way - Verb)
    • 他在困难面前表现得非常冷静。
    • Pinyin: Tā zài kùnnán miànqián biǎoxiàn de fēicháng lěngjìng.
    • English: He acted very calmly in the face of difficulties.
    • Analysis: Here, `表现` is a verb. The structure `表现 + 得 + Adjective` is very common and means “to act/behave in a… way.”
  • Example 3: (Showing a Quality - Verb)
    • 运动员们在比赛中表现出了顽强的精神。
    • Pinyin: Yùndòngyuánmen zài bǐsài zhōng biǎoxiàn chūle wánqiáng de jīngshén.
    • English: The athletes showed a tenacious spirit during the competition.
    • Analysis: The structure `表现 + 出(来)` means “to show,” “to exhibit,” or “to reveal.” It makes the action of showing more explicit.
  • Example 4: (Academic Performance - Noun)
    • 老师表扬了他在学校的良好表现。
    • Pinyin: Lǎoshī biǎoyángle tā zài xuéxiào de liánghǎo biǎoxiàn.
    • English: The teacher praised his good performance at school.
    • Analysis: Similar to work performance, `表现` is the go-to noun for a student's overall conduct and academic effort.
  • Example 5: (Showing Off - Negative Connotation)
    • 他这个人就爱表现，你别理他。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén jiù ài biǎoxiàn, nǐ bié lǐ tā.
    • English: He's the type of person who just loves to show off; don't pay any attention to him.
    • Analysis: `爱表现 (ài biǎoxiàn)` is a set phrase that carries a negative connotation of being an attention-seeker or show-off.
  • Example 6: (Manifestation of Symptoms - Noun)
    • 感冒的早期表现是流鼻涕和喉咙痛。
    • Pinyin: Gǎnmào de zǎoqī biǎoxiàn shì liú bítì hé hóulóng tòng.
    • English: The early manifestations (symptoms) of a cold are a runny nose and a sore throat.
    • Analysis: In a medical context, `表现` can refer to the physical signs or symptoms of an illness.
  • Example 7: (In a Social Context - Verb)
    • 为了给女朋友的父母留下好印象，他今天一定要好好表现。
    • Pinyin: Wèile gěi nǚpéngyǒu de fùmǔ liúxià hǎo yìnxiàng, tā jīntiān yīdìng yào hǎohǎo biǎoxiàn.
    • English: In order to leave a good impression on his girlfriend's parents, he must perform well today.
    • Analysis: `好好表现 (hǎohǎo biǎoxiàn)` means to be on your best behavior or to put your best foot forward. It's about consciously managing your actions to create a positive outcome.
  • Example 8: (As a general “expression” - Noun)
    • 他的画是内心世界的表现。
    • Pinyin: Tā de huà shì nèixīn shìjiè de biǎoxiàn.
    • English: His paintings are an expression of his inner world.
    • Analysis: `表现` can be used more abstractly to mean the expression or representation of something, like an idea or a feeling.
  • Example 9: (Lack of Expression - Verb)
    • 他听了这个坏消息，脸上却没表现出任何情绪。
    • Pinyin: Tā tīngle zhège huài xiāoxī, liǎn shàng què méi biǎoxiàn chū rènhé qíngxù.
    • English: After hearing the bad news, he didn't show any emotion on his face.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the verb usage in a negative form, emphasizing the lack of an outward sign.
  • Example 10: (Market Performance - Noun)
    • 今年股票市场的表现不太理想。
    • Pinyin: Jīnnián gǔpiào shìchǎng de biǎoxiàn bù tài lǐxiǎng.
    • English: The stock market's performance this year is not ideal.
    • Analysis: The use of `表现` extends to non-human subjects like markets, economies, or even computer programs to describe their performance.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Verb vs. Noun: This is the most common point of confusion.
    • As a Noun: It's usually preceded by 的 (de) or an adjective. Ex: `他的表现 (tā de biǎoxiàn)` - “his performance.”
    • As a Verb: It's the main action. It's often followed by 得 (de) + adjective or by 出(来) (chūlái) + object. Ex: `他表现得很好 (tā biǎoxiàn de hěn hǎo)` - “he performed well.”
  • `表现 (biǎoxiàn)` vs. `表演 (biǎoyǎn)`: This is a critical distinction!
    • `表现 (biǎoxiàn)` is about performance in life (work, school, behavior). It's a general assessment of how you do or act.
    • `表演 (biǎoyǎn)` is about artistic performance (acting in a play, playing music, doing magic tricks). It refers to a specific show or act.
  • Common Mistake Example:
    • Incorrect: 昨晚音乐会的表现太棒了！(Zuówǎn yīnyuèhuì de biǎoxiàn tài bàng le!)
    • Why it's wrong: A concert is an artistic show, not a measure of general life/work performance.
    • Correct: 昨晚音乐会的表演太棒了！(Zuówǎn yīnyuèhuì de biǎoyǎn tài bàng le!) - The performance at last night's concert was fantastic!

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 表演 (biǎoyǎn) - To perform (artistically); an artistic performance. The most important term to distinguish from `表现`.
  • 表达 (biǎodá) - To express (an opinion, a feeling), typically with words. `表达` is about communicating, while `表现` is about showing or manifesting.
  • 显示 (xiǎnshì) - To show, display, demonstrate. Often used in a more technical sense, like a computer screen `显示` data or a study `显示` a result.
  • 体现 (tǐxiàn) - To embody, to reflect. This is more abstract. A building can `体现` a design philosophy; a policy can `体现` a government's values. `表现` is more about the concrete actions of an individual.
  • 成绩 (chéngjì) - Grades, results, achievements. This is a very specific, often quantifiable, type of `表现`, especially in academics or sports.
  • 态度 (tàidù) - Attitude. Your `态度` is a key component of your overall `表现`. A good attitude is often as important as good results.
  • 面子 (miànzi) - “Face,” social standing. A good `表现` is a primary way to gain and maintain `面子`.