Meanings of 錶
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About 錶
Podcast: 錶
Podcast: 錶
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AI Study Notes for 錶
表 (biǎo) - use 錶 (biǎo) when specifically referring to a watch or wristwatch, while 表 (biǎo) can refer to various types of displays or expressions.
Be cautious with the pronunciation; the third tone biǎo can easily be confused with other tones. Common collocations include '手錶' (shǒubiǎo - wristwatch) and '電子錶' (diànzǐbiǎo - digital watch). It's an informal term, so use it in casual conversations rather than formal writing.
While 錶 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates to other HSK words like '表達' (biǎodá - to express) and '表現' (biǎoxiàn - to show performance). Focus on recognizing the character's components and using it in everyday contexts.
Learners often confuse 錶 (biǎo) with 表 (biǎo) when referring to watches. For example, saying '我有一個表' (wǒ yǒu yī gè biǎo) is correct for 'I have a watch', but contextually, using 錶 is more precise. Instead, say '我有一個錶'.
Pronunciation of 錶
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Etymology of 錶
Depicts clothes (衣) made from fur (毛), typically the outermost layer of clothing. In simplified Chinese 表 is also used to mean "wristwatch", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 錶.
metal
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 錶
Depicts clothes (衣) made from fur (毛), typically the outermost layer of clothing. In simplified Chinese 表 is also used to mean "wristwatch", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 錶.
- 1The meaning half釒 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half表 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaymetal
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 錶? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 錶?
Decomposition of 錶
Identify the Components
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How to say to show, to express, to display; outside, appearance; a watch in Chinese
“to show, to express, to display; outside, appearance; a watch” in Chinese is錶
The character 錶 (biǎo) primarily means 'watch' or 'clock', referring to timekeeping devices worn on the wrist or displayed in a room. It can also convey the concepts of showing or expressing something, often related to appearances or external displays. In contexts like fashion or personal style, it signifies how someone presents themselves to the world.
When to use 錶
Be cautious with the pronunciation; the third tone biǎo can easily be confused with other tones. Common collocations include '手錶' (shǒubiǎo - wristwatch) and '電子錶' (diànzǐbiǎo - digital watch). It's an informal term, so use it in casual conversations rather than formal writing.
錶 or something close to it
表 (biǎo) - use 錶 (biǎo) when specifically referring to a watch or wristwatch, while 表 (biǎo) can refer to various types of displays or expressions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 錶 (biǎo) with 表 (biǎo) when referring to watches. For example, saying '我有一個表' (wǒ yǒu yī gè biǎo) is correct for 'I have a watch', but contextually, using 錶 is more precise. Instead, say '我有一個錶'.
Write 錶
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Practice writing 錶 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 錶
Compound Meaning
What does 表现 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 錶
Wristwatch is '手錶' (shǒubiǎo).
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