Definitions
(verb)
to show; to reveal
Etymology
Depicts a memorial tablet used for spiritual rituals.
About
The character "示" derives from an early pictorial representation of an altar or sacrificial stand, indicating its initial close tie to religious rituals and divination practices. Its structural form has remained largely consistent, functioning as a semantic radical that imparts a sense of the spiritual or ceremonial to many compound characters, such as 神 (deity) and 祭 (to sacrifice). The core meaning transitioned from denoting the physical ritual object to encompassing the abstract action of showing or indicating, a shift probably influenced by the altar's role as a site where divine signs were disclosed. This evolution solidified its modern usage where it primarily conveys the idea of manifestation or instruction, while its compositional role continues to anchor related vocabulary in the realm of the sacred or auspicious.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他表示同意我的建议。
老师示范了正确的写法。
这张图显示了他的位置。
他暗示我不要再说了。
博物馆展示了很多文物。
这些迹象预示着一场风暴。
工程师演示了新的软件功能。
上级指示我们必须按时完成。