Correct
表达 vs 表示
/ biǎodá vs biǎoshì /
Strokes
Formula
1
充分表达了爱国之情 (fully expressing one's patriotism)
2
表示失望 (be disappointed)
3
表示欢迎 (to extend a welcome)
Definition
表达 as a Verb, 表示 as a Verb or Noun, which means [express; expression].
Example
表达 and 表示, both Verbs can means to express in words or action one's thought or feeling. 表达 is more abstract, 表示 is more concrete.
表示 sometimes just means "to say", while 表达 is more indirect.
充分表达了爱国之情 (fully expressing one's patriotism)
表示失望 (be disappointed)
表示欢迎 (to extend a welcome)
1
Zhèxiē
这些
jìniànpǐn
纪念品
,
biǎodá
表达
le
了
bìyèshēng
毕业生
duì
对
mǔxiào
母校
de
的
gǎnjī
感激
zhī
之
qíng
情
。
These mementoes are manifestation of graduates'gratitude to their school.
2
Tā
他
diǎndiǎntóu
点点头
biǎoshì
表示
tóngyì
同意
。
He nodded his assent.
Even though 表达 and 表示 both words can use language and written words as the medium, there can still be the difference of being abstract or concrete over what has been expressed.
3
Zhè
这
běn
本
huíyìlù
回忆录
biǎodá
表达
le
了
zuòzhě
作者
duì
对
wǎngrì
往日
de
的
wúxiàn
无限
huáiniàn
怀念
。
The reminiscences conveyed the writer's boundless memories of his past.
4
Tā
他
duì
对
kèhù
客户
biǎoshì
表示
gǎnxiè
感谢
。
He expressed his gratitude to his clients.
In some rare cases, the two words are interchangeable especially when it is ambiguous whether the case is concrete or abstract.
5
Tā
她
de
的
xìn
信
biǎodá
表达
(
biǎoshì
表示
)
le
了
tā
她
duì
对
duìfāng
对方
de
的
àimù
爱慕
zhī
之
qíng
情
。
Her letter conveyed her admiration for the man.
表示can also mean that something or some features can indicate the meaning or the sense of some other things, while 表达 has no such meaning.
6
Tā
他
de
的
chénmò
沉默
biǎoshì
表示
tā
他
duì
对
cǐshì
此事
hái
还
yǒuxiē
有些
yóuyù
犹豫
。
His silence indicated his hesitation at the matter.
7
Hóngdēng
红灯
biǎoshì
表示
chēliàng
车辆
jìnzhǐ
禁止
tōngxíng
通行
。
The red traffic light stands for stop.
表示 is also a noun which has nothing in common with 表达.
8
Diǎntóu
点头
yībān
一般
shì
是
tóngyì
同意
de
的
biǎoshì
表示
。
Nods normally imply assent.
9
Sòng
送
rén
人
lǐwù
礼物
shì
是
yī
一
zhǒng
种
yǒuhǎo
友好
de
的
biǎoshì
表示
。
To offer presents is an expression of friendship.