Translation and Meaning of: 表す - arawasu

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese express ideas so visually and precisely, the word 表す (あらわす) is a great starting point. This verb, which means "to express," "to show," or "to reveal," holds not just a meaning, but also a fascinating story behind its kanji. In this article, we will explore the etymology, everyday usage, and even tips for memorizing this essential word. If you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, you'll find practical examples here to boost your studies.

In addition to uncovering the origin of the ideogram, we will dive into how the Japanese use 表す in their daily lives, whether in informal conversations or in more formal contexts. Did you know that this word frequently appears in newspaper headlines and even in song lyrics? That's right, it has a significant presence in the Japanese language, and understanding its nuances can be the key to sounding more natural when communicating.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 表す

The kanji 表, which makes up 表す, is a true work of linguistic art. It combines the radical for "clothing" (衣) with the element "surface" (丩), suggesting the idea of something being displayed, like an open coat showing its lining. It's no wonder that this character also appears in words like 表現 (ひょうげん), which means "expression." The combination with the verb す transforms this visual concept into action, bringing to life the idea of "making visible" or "externalizing."

Interestingly, the pronunciation あらわす has ancient roots in archaic Japanese, where "あらわ" already carried the meaning of "to manifest." This historical connection explains why the verb is so versatile today, as it can be used for both emotions and concrete facts. When you see this kanji in a text, you can be sure that something is being revealed or intentionally highlighted.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

In Japan, 表す is like a linguistic Swiss Army knife. Journalists use it to report economic data (数字が傾向を表す - numbers show a trend), while artists talk about how their works 感情を表す (express emotions). A valuable tip: pay attention when you see this verb in headlines - it often indicates that something important is being revealed to the public.

In colloquial language, the Japanese often use 表す in situations where they need to make their feelings or opinions clear. For example, 感謝の気持ちを表す (to express feelings of gratitude) is a common phrase in formal speeches. But be careful: in casual conversations, they often choose simpler verbs like 見せる or 言う, reserving 表す for moments that require more emphasis or formality.

Memory Tips and Curiosities

To never forget 表す, imagine the kanji 表 as a stage (the upper part) with curtains (the clothing radical) being opened to reveal something. This mental image helps to fix both the writing and the meaning. Another foolproof technique is to create flashcards with sentences like この絵は何を表していますか？ (What is this painting expressing?), which frequently appear in proficiency exams.

An interesting cultural fact: in traditional Japanese arts such as kabuki, the concept of 表す goes beyond words. Actors need to "show" emotions through exaggerated gestures and characteristic makeup, literally embodying their characters. This connection between language and artistic expression demonstrates how the verb is rooted in the Japanese way of conveying ideas and feelings.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 表す

• 表す Base form
• 表します Formal
• 表して て form
• 表される Passive
• 表すべき potential

Synonyms and similar words

• 示す (shimesu) - Show, indicate
• 象徴する (shouchou suru) - Symbolize, represent
• 言い表す (iiarawasu) - Express, articulate
• 示唆する (shisa suru) - Insinuate, suggest
• 示威する (ji'i suru) - Demonstrate, protest
• 示談する (jidan suru) - Resolve a case by agreement
• 示意する (ji'i suru) - Indicate, signal
• 示現する (shigen suru) - Manifest, appear
• 示出する (shishutsu suru) - Reveal, expose
• 示徴する (shichou suru) - Make a demonstration or highlight

表す

Romaji: arawasu
Kana: あらわす
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: express; Show; to reveal

Meaning in English: to express;to show;to reveal

Definition: Show, suggest or clarify something using language or means.

Example Sentences - (表す) arawasu

See below some example sentences:

グラムは重さを表す単位です。

Guramu wa omosa o hyōsu tanshi desu

Gram is a unit of measurement of weight.

Gram is a unit that represents weight.

• グラム - Japanese word meaning "grass"
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 重さ - Japanese noun meaning "weight"
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 表す - Japanese verb meaning "to represent"
• 単位 - Japanese noun meaning "unity"
• です - verb to be in Japanese, indicating that the sentence is a statement

分散はデータのばらつきを表す重要な指標です。

Bunsan wa data no baratsuki wo hyōsu suru jūyōna shihyō desu

Distributed is an important indicator for data variation.

• 分散 (bunsan) - variance
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• データ (deeta) - data
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• ばらつき (baratsuki) - dispersion
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - represent
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 指標 (shihyou) - indicator
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

比重は物質の密度を表す重要な指標です。

Bijū wa busshitsu no mitsudo o hyōsu jūyōna shihyōdesu

Specific gravity is an important indicator that represents the density of the substance.

• 比重 (hijū) - relative density
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 物質 (busshitsu) - substance
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 密度 (mitsudo) - density
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - Expressar, representar
• 重要な (jūyōna) - important
• 指標 (shihyō) - indicator
• です (desu) - be (linking verb)

この情報はまだ公表されていません。

Kono jōhō wa mada kōhyō sarete imasen

This information has not yet been publicly released.

This information has not yet been released.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 情報 - noun meaning "information"
• は - topic particle that indicates that the information is the subject of the sentence
• まだ - adverb meaning "yet"
• 公表 - noun that means "public disclosure"
• されていません - negative form of the verb "する" (to do) in the passive and polite form, indicating that public disclosure has not yet been made

この声明は真実を伝えるために発表されました。

Kono seimei wa shinjitsu o tsutaeru tame ni happyō sa remashita

This statement was released to convey the truth.

This statement was announced to convey the truth.

• この声明 - this declaration
• は - it is a particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 真実 - truth
• を - particle that indicates the direct object
• 伝える - transmit
• ために - for
• 発表されました - was announced

ヤングは若い人たちを表します。

Yangu wa wakai hitotachi wo hyō shimasu

Young represents young people.

• ヤング - Japanese word meaning "young"
• は - particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 若い - Japanese adjective meaning "young"
• 人たち - suffix in Japanese that indicates plurality, meaning "people"
• を - Direct object particle in Japanese.
• 表します - Japanese verb meaning "represents"

五十音は日本語の基本的な音の組み合わせを表します。

Gojūon wa nihongo no kihonteki na oto no kumiawase o hyō shimasu

The 1950s indicate the basic combination of the Japanese sound.

• 五十音 - means "fifty sounds" and refers to the set of Japanese characters used to represent sounds and syllables.
• 日本語 - means "Japanese language".
• 基本的な - means "basic" or "fundamental".
• 音 - means "sound" or "musical note".
• 組み合わせ - means "combination" or "arrangement".
• 表します - means "represents" or "shows".

墜落した飛行機の犠牲者に哀悼の意を表します。

Tsuiraku shita hikouki no giseisha ni aidou no i wo hyou shimasu

We express our condolences to the victims of the crashed plane.

Express the condolences to the victims of the rugged plane.

• 墜落した飛行機 - plane crash
• の - Possession particle
• 犠牲者 - victims
• に - target particle
• 哀悼の意を表します - we express our condolences

生物は自然界の多様性を表しています。

Seibutsu wa shizenkai no tayousei wo arawashite imasu

Living beings represent the diversity of nature.

Creatures represent the diversity of nature.

• 生物 - Japanese word meaning "living beings"
• は - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 自然界 - Japanese word meaning "natural world"
• の - Japanese grammatical particle indicating possession or relationship
• 多様性 - Japanese word meaning "diversity"
• を - grammatical particle in Japanese that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 表しています - Japanese verb meaning "to represent"

私は会社の代表です。

Watashi wa kaisha no daihyō desu

I am the representative of the company.

I am a representative of the company.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "I"
• 会社 (kaisha) - noun meaning "company"
• の (no) - possessive particle indicating that "empresa" belongs to "eu"
• 代表 (daihyou) - noun that means "representative"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal way of saying "to be" or "to stay"