揭示 (jiēshì) — to reveal; to uncover
HSK 5 | verb | to reveal; to bring to light; to expose
揭示 (jiēshì)
揭示 means to reveal or bring to light something that was hidden, obscure, or not yet understood, and is commonly used in academic, literary, and investigative contexts.
Meanings
- [verb] to reveal; to uncover; to lay bare
- [verb] to illuminate; to expose underlying truths or causes
Example Sentences
这项研究揭示了城市化与环境污染之间的关联。 Zhè xiàng yánjiū jiēshìle chéngshìhuà yǔ huánjìng wūrǎn zhījiān de guānlián. This research revealed the connection between urbanization and environmental pollution.
小说通过主人公的命运揭示了社会的深层矛盾。 Xiǎoshuō tōngguò zhǔréngōng de mìngyùn jiēshìle shèhuì de shēncéng máodùn. The novel revealed the deep-seated contradictions of society through the protagonist's fate.
调查结果揭示了腐败问题的严重性。 Diàochá jiéguǒ jiēshìle fǔbài wèntí de yánzhòngxìng. The investigation results revealed the seriousness of the corruption problem.
这幅画试图揭示人类内心深处的孤独感。 Zhè fú huà shìtú jiēshì rénlèi nèixīn shēnchù de gūdúgǎn. This painting attempts to reveal the deep sense of loneliness within the human heart.
数据揭示了一个令人担忧的趋势。 Shùjù jiēshìle yī gè lìng rén dānyōu de qūshì. The data revealed a worrying trend.
哲学家致力于揭示存在的本质意义。 Zhéxuéjiā zhìlì yú jiēshì cúnzài de běnzhì yìyì. Philosophers are dedicated to revealing the essential meaning of existence.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 揭示真相 (jiēshì zhēnxiàng) | reveal the truth |
| 揭示规律 (jiēshì guīlǜ) | reveal patterns/laws |
| 揭示本质 (jiēshì běnzhì) | expose the essence |
| 揭示问题 (jiēshì wèntí) | reveal a problem |
| 深刻揭示 (shēnkè jiēshì) | profoundly reveal |
| 揭示矛盾 (jiēshì máodùn) | expose contradictions |
Usage Notes
揭示 carries a sense of unveiling something significant that was not previously visible or understood. It is more literary and intellectual in register than 发现 (fāxiàn, to discover) or 显示 (xiǎnshì, to show/display). While 揭示 implies an active act of bringing something hidden to light, 显示 is more neutral and simply means to show or indicate.
揭示 is especially common in literary criticism, social analysis, and academic writing, where authors "reveal" the deeper meanings, contradictions, or truths in a text or phenomenon. At B2, learners should practice using 揭示 when discussing the deeper significance of texts, data, or events.
Memory Hook
JIE (揭, to lift/uncover) + SHI (示, to show/indicate) = to lift the cover and show what was hidden underneath.