表す・現す・表わす・現わす・顕す|あらわすarawasu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
表す表す（あらわす） is the most common form; beginners should use it as their default spelling when writing this word.
現す現す（あらわす） is less common than 表す（あらわす） and is a written variant you may encounter; it is not the preferred choice for beginners.
表わす表わす（あらわす） is less common than 表す（あらわす） and may appear as an alternative spelling; beginners should normally choose 表す（あらわす） instead.
現わす現わす（あらわす） is less common than 表す（あらわす） and may be encountered as a written variant; beginners should use 表す（あらわす）.
顕す顕す（あらわす） is a less common written form that may appear in texts; beginners should use 表す（あらわす） instead.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto represent; to signify; to stand foresp. 表す, 表わす
- godan verb, transitive verbto reveal; to show; to displayesp. 現す, 現わす
- godan verb, transitive verbto expressesp. 表す, 表わす
- godan verb, transitive verbto make widely knownesp. 顕す
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 表す（あらわす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 表します（あらわします） |
| Negative (nai) | 表さない（あらわさない） |
| polite (masen) | 表しません（あらわしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 表さず・表さぬ（あらわさず・あらわさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 表した（あらわした） |
| polite (mashita) | 表しました（あらわしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 表さなかった（あらわさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 表しませんでした（あらわしませんでした） |
| Te form | 表して（あらわして） |
| Potential | 表せる（あらわせる） |
| Passive | 表される（あらわされる） |
| Causative | 表させる（あらわさせる） |
| Causative passive | 表させられる（あらわさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 表せば（あらわせば） |
| tara | 表したら（あらわしたら） |
| Volitional | 表そう（あらわそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 表しましょう（あらわしましょう） |
| Imperative | 表せ（あらわせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
姿を現す
現れる describes something appearing or becoming visible on its own, while 表す focuses on an agent intentionally revealing or expressing something.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym示すしめすNeutralShows or points something out, as when data indicates a result; 「表す」 focuses on putting inner feelings or meaning into outward form.
- Synonym表出ひょうしゅつWrittenWritten, academic term (esp. in psychology) for feelings or states coming out to the surface; too stiff for everyday speech.
- Synonym表現ひょうげんNeutralA noun for expressing thoughts and feelings through language or art; 「表す」 is a verb and covers far more situations.
- Synonym象徴しょうちょうWrittenWritten style: a concrete thing standing for something abstract, as in 「平和の象徴」.
- Synonym代表だいひょうNeutralTo represent a group or serve as a typical example; 「表す」 also carries this symbolic, representative sense.
- Synonym表明ひょうめいWrittenWritten and rather formal: making an attitude or resolve clearly known; 「表す」 is the everyday word.
- Synonym見せるみせるNeutralSimply to show something to someone; 「表す」 puts inner content into outward form.
- Synonym言い表すいいあらわすNeutralTo express in words, often in the negative 「言葉では言い表せない」.
- Synonym述べるのべるWrittenWritten and fairly formal: stating an opinion in words.
- Synonym表するひょうするFormalFormal: to respectfully show gratitude or respect, in set phrases like 「敬意を表する」.
- Synonym表示ひょうじNeutralTo display or indicate information, also 「意思を表示する」; 「表す」 has wider uses.
- SynonymシンボライズCasualLoanword meaning to symbolize; rare — say 「象徴する」 instead.
- Related描写びょうしゃWrittenWritten: detailed portrayal of scenes or states of mind, mostly in literature and painting.
- Related描くえがくNeutralTo draw or paint, or to picture something in your mind; 「表す」 is not limited to images.
- Related反映はんえいNeutralSomething showing up in something else, or deliberately working it in, as in 「意見を政策に反映する」.
- Related映すうつすNeutralTo reflect or project an image, as a mirror does; it overlaps with 「表す」 only in the sense of displaying something.
- Related言ういうCasualColloquial: mainly saying something out loud in words; 「表す」 can express things through language, facial expressions, numbers and more.
- Related映し出すうつしだすNeutralTo project an image on a screen, or to mirror the character of an era.
- Related物語るものがたるWrittenWritten: facts themselves telling the story, as in 「傷跡が物語る」; 「表す」 is broader.
- Related発揮はっきWrittenWritten: to exercise or display one's ability; written 「現す」, the headword also covers showing one's skill.
- Related吐露とろWrittenWritten word for pouring out one's true feelings, as in 「心情を吐露する」.
- Related漏らすもらすNeutralTo let a secret slip or vent dissatisfaction, by accident or on purpose; 「表す」 is about expressing things.
- Related描出びょうしゅつWrittenRare written word for depicting something; in ordinary use say 「描き出す」.
- Related書き表すかきあらわすNeutralTo express something in writing; limited to the written word.
- Antonym隠すかくすNeutralAntonym: to hide or conceal, the opposite of revealing as 「表す」 does.
- Antonym秘すWrittenWritten antonym: to keep something secret and unspoken, opposite of openly expressing with 「表す」.
Use 「表す」 to express feelings, ideas, or meaning, or to stand for something. For showing data or facts, 「示す」 fits; for expression through language or art, 「表現」; to show respect formally, 「表する」. Spelled 「現す」, it means revealing one's presence or ability. Written-style picks include 「象徴」 (symbolize), 「描写」 (portray), 「表明」 (declare), 「述べる」 (state); 「見せる」 just shows, 「言う」 just says.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
