表达 (biǎodá)

表达 refers to the act of making internal thoughts, emotions, or intentions known through words, actions, or other means of communication.

Meanings

[verb] To express, to convey, to communicate (feelings, ideas, opinions).

Example Sentences

他不擅长用语言表达自己内心的感受。 Tā bù shàncháng yòng yǔyán biǎodá zìjǐ nèixīn de gǎnshòu. He is not good at expressing his inner feelings through words.

这幅画以独特的方式表达了艺术家对自由的渴望。 Zhè fú huà yǐ dútè de fāngshì biǎodá le yìshùjiā duì zìyóu de kěwàng. This painting expresses the artist's yearning for freedom in a unique way.

在正式场合，我们需要注意如何得体地表达自己的观点。 Zài zhèngshì chǎnghé, wǒmen xūyào zhùyì rúhé détǐ de biǎodá zìjǐ de guāndiǎn. In formal settings, we need to pay attention to how to express our views appropriately.

她用一束鲜花表达了对老师多年来辛勤付出的感激之情。 Tā yòng yī shù xiānhuā biǎodá le duì lǎoshī duō nián lái xīnqín fùchū de gǎnjī zhī qíng. She used a bouquet of flowers to convey her gratitude for the teacher's years of dedicated effort.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
表达感情	to express feelings
表达意见	to express opinions
表达感谢	to express gratitude
表达方式	way of expressing
清楚地表达	to express clearly

Usage Notes

表达 focuses on outward communication of inner states and is more formal than 说 (to say). It often appears with abstract objects: 表达情感, 表达立场, 表达不满. The related noun form 表达能力 (expressive ability) is widely used in education and workplace contexts. 表达 can use various means, not just speech: 用音乐表达, 用画表达.

Memory Hook

表 means "outside/surface" and 达 means "to reach" — your inner thoughts reach the outside surface through expression.