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表白 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
表白biǎobáito explain oneselfHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #12080, Very Hard
表白biǎobáito expressHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #12080, Very Hard
表白biǎobáito reveal one's thoughts or feelingsHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #12080, Very Hard
表白biǎobáideclarationHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #12080, Very Hard
表白biǎobáiconfessionHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #12080, Very Hard
biǎobái(biao3bai2)biao bai T3
  1. 1to explain oneself
  2. 2to express
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March 24, 2026

表白biǎobái(biao3bai2)

表白 (biǎobái) means to express one's feelings or thoughts, often in the context of romantic interests. It is commonly used when someone confesses their love or intentions to another person. This term can also apply to clarifying one's position on a matter.

Strokes13Frequency#12080DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, expressing one's feelings openly, especially in romantic contexts, can be quite significant. The act of 表白 is often viewed with seriousness and can involve elaborate gestures, reflecting the importance of sincerity in relationships.

Memory tip

Imagine a person standing in front of a big white board (表) to boldly declare their feelings (白). The white board represents clarity in expression, while the act of standing before it signifies a heartfelt confession.

Meanings of 表白

biǎobái(biao3bai2)
1to explain oneself
2to express
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About 表白

表白Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 表白

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Podcast: 表白

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AI study notes for 表白

Quick Contrast

表白 (biǎobái) vs 说明 (shuōmíng) — use 表白 for expressing feelings, while 说明 is for explaining or clarifying information.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 表白, as it is often associated with romantic confessions and can feel quite formal or serious. It's common to pair this term with words like 'love' (爱) to clarify the nature of the declaration. Avoid using it in casual situations where a less intense expression would suffice.

HSK Study Tips

If you're preparing for HSK level 3, focus on how 表白 relates to feelings and emotions, as well as other vocabulary related to love and relationships. This word can serve as a bridge to understanding other expressions of emotion in Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 表白 with 说明 (shuōmíng), which means 'explain' without the emotional connotation. For example, saying '我想给他说明我的感受' (I want to explain my feelings to him) is incorrect; you should use '表白' instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 表白

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Component characters

表biǎoexterior surface
HSK 48 strokes衣
View full entry
白báiwhite
HSK 55 strokes白
View full entry

How to say to explain oneself in Chinese

“to explain oneself” in Chinese is表白biǎobái

表白 (biǎobái) means to express one's feelings or thoughts, often in the context of romantic interests. It is commonly used when someone confesses their love or intentions to another person. This term can also apply to clarifying one's position on a matter.

When to use 表白

Be mindful of the context in which you use 表白, as it is often associated with romantic confessions and can feel quite formal or serious. It's common to pair this term with words like 'love' (爱) to clarify the nature of the declaration. Avoid using it in casual situations where a less intense expression would suffice.

表白 or something close to it

表白 (biǎobái) vs 说明 (shuōmíng) — use 表白 for expressing feelings, while 说明 is for explaining or clarifying information.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 表白 with 说明 (shuōmíng), which means 'explain' without the emotional connotation. For example, saying '我想给他说明我的感受' (I want to explain my feelings to him) is incorrect; you should use '表白' instead.

Write 表白

表
白

Practice writing 表白 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently asked questions about 表白

Use 表白 when you want to express romantic feelings or clarify your thoughts seriously, particularly in a one-on-one conversation.

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