表する|ひょうするhyousuru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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- suru verb (irregular), transitive verbto express; to show
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 表する(ひょうする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 表します(ひょうします) |
| Negative (nai) | 表しない(ひょうしない) |
| polite (masen) | 表しません(ひょうしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 表せず・表せぬ(ひょうせず・ひょうせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 表した(ひょうした) |
| polite (mashita) | 表しました(ひょうしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 表しなかった(ひょうしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 表しませんでした(ひょうしませんでした) |
| Te form | 表して(ひょうして) |
| Potential | 表できる(ひょうできる) |
| Passive | 表される(ひょうされる) |
| Causative | 表させる(ひょうさせる) |
| Causative passive | 表させられる(ひょうさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 表すれば(ひょうすれば) |
| tara | 表したら(ひょうしたら) |
| Volitional | 表しよう(ひょうしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 表しましょう(ひょうしましょう) |
| Imperative | 表しろ(ひょうしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym表すあらわすNeutralThe most common word for expressing or showing, also for representing; 「表する」 is more formal, mostly for respect or gratitude.
- Synonym示すしめすNeutralCovers showing, indicating and pointing out, with very wide use; 「表する」 is mostly for formally expressing respect, opinions or positions.
- Synonym表現ひょうげんNeutralA noun for expressing inner thoughts and feelings through language or art; focuses on the manner of expression.
- Synonym表明ひょうめいNeutralPublicly declaring an attitude or resolve, as in 「辞意を表明する」; stresses open declaration.
- Synonym表出ひょうしゅつWrittenWritten: the outward expression of feelings; a psychology and academic term.
- Synonym表示ひょうじNeutralTo indicate or display objectively, as in 「価格表示」; stresses objective marking rather than expressing feelings.
- Synonym呈するていするWrittenWritten: to present or assume an appearance, as 「活況を呈する」; also used to formally convey sentiments like 「謝意を呈する」.
- Synonym呈すていすWrittenSame meaning as 「呈する」—to present or assume an appearance—but used less often.
- Related物語るものがたるNeutralTo tell or narrate; also used when a fact makes a situation clear, as 「事実が物語る」; stresses proving something.
- Related発揮はっきNeutralTo bring out ability, power or effect and put it to work, as 「実力を発揮する」 or 「効果を発揮する」.
- Related描き出すえがきだすNeutralTo depict or draw out, also figuratively to sketch a vision; stresses portrayal.
- Related見せるみせるNeutralTo show something to someone; the most colloquial of the group, with no formal nuance.
- Related書き表すかきあらわすNeutralTo express something by writing it out; stresses the written form.
- Related顕示けんじWrittenWritten: to show clearly, as in 「自己顕示欲」; the word itself does not necessarily imply showing off.
- Related供覧きょうらんFormalTo put something on view for the public; an official-document term, extremely formal.
- Antonym隠すかくすNeutralAntonym: to hide or conceal; the opposite of expressing something outwardly as 「表する」 does.
- Antonym秘めるひめるNeutralAntonym: to keep something hidden in one's heart, as 「思いを秘める」; the opposite of expressing it outward.
Use 「表する」 to formally express respect or gratitude, as in 「敬意を表する」; for general expression use 「表す」 or 「示す」, and for public declarations of attitude or resolve use 「表明」. Others cover specific modes: writing (「書き表す」), depiction (「描き出す」), narration and proof (「物語る」), bringing out ability (「発揮」), objective display (「表示」), plain showing (「見せる」). Written or formal choices: 「表出」, 「呈する」/「呈す」, 「顕示」, 「供覧」. Antonyms 「隠す」 and 「秘める」 mean keeping things hidden.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


