Definitions

xiǎn (adjective) visible; prominent; conspicuous
xiǎn (verb) to reveal; to make visible

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and 𢇁 represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character '显', originating from its traditional form '顯' that combines the semantic component '頁' indicating something prominent or related to the head with '㬎' contributing notions of brightness, initially conveyed the idea of being bright or conspicuous. Over centuries, its meaning broadened from describing physical luminosity to encompassing actions such as showing or manifesting, as well as states of being evident or obvious. This evolution in usage reflects a transition from concrete visual prominence to more abstract concepts of visibility and understanding. The simplified form '显' preserves the elemental association with light through its upper component '日' (sun), while structurally condensing the character.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个问题很明

Zhè gè wèn tí hěn míng xiǎn.

This problem is very obvious.

得很高兴。

Tā xiǎn dé hěn gāo xìng.

He looks very happy.

示器坏了。

Xiǎn shì qì huài le.

The monitor is broken.

她的成绩很著。

Tā de chéng jī hěn xiǎn zhù.

Her achievements are very remarkable.

影液用于冲洗照片。

Xiǎn yǐng yè yòng yú chōng xǐ zhào piàn.

Developer solution is used for developing photos.

这幅画示了春天的美丽。

Zhè fú huà xiǎn shì le chūn tiān de měi lì.

This painting shows the beauty of spring.

微镜下观察细胞。

Zài xiǎn wēi jìng xià guān chá xì bāo.

Observe cells under a microscope.

他的贡献在历史上得尤为重要。

Tā de gòng xiàn zài lì shǐ shàng xiǎn dé yóu qí zhòng yào.

His contribution appears especially important in history.