表象|ひょうしょうhyoushou[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbsymbol (of); emblem
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, psychology, philosophy(mental) image; representation; idea
    私わたしたち人間にんげんの頭あたまは経験けいけんを表象ひょうしょうに変かえる。↗
    Our minds transform experiences into symbols.
Conjugation
Dictionary form表象する(ひょうしょうする)
Polite (masu)表象します(ひょうしょうします)
Negative (nai)表象しない(ひょうしょうしない)
polite (masen)表象しません(ひょうしょうしません)
classical zu / nu表象せず・表象せぬ(ひょうしょうせず・ひょうしょうせぬ)
Past (ta)表象した(ひょうしょうした)
polite (mashita)表象しました(ひょうしょうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)表象しなかった(ひょうしょうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)表象しませんでした(ひょうしょうしませんでした)
Te form表象して(ひょうしょうして)
Potential表象できる(ひょうしょうできる)
Passive表象される(ひょうしょうされる)
Causative表象させる(ひょうしょうさせる)
Causative passive表象させられる(ひょうしょうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)表象すれば(ひょうしょうすれば)
tara表象したら(ひょうしょうしたら)
Volitional表象しよう(ひょうしょうしよう)
polite (mashou)表象しましょう(ひょうしょうしましょう)
Imperative表象しろ(ひょうしょうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym象徴しょうちょうWrittenWritten register; a concrete thing standing for an abstract idea, as in 「平和の象徴」. Far more common than 「表象」 and the everyday default for 'symbol'.
  • SynonymシンボルNeutralNeutral loanword for a representative symbol or landmark, as in 「街のシンボル」; broader everyday use than the academic 「表象」.
  • Synonym表徴ひょうちょうWrittenRare written word for an outwardly visible sign or distinguishing mark; unlike 「表象」 it stresses what shows on the surface, not a mental image.
  • Related記号きごうNeutralNeutral word for signs that express meaning in simplified graphic form, like 「化学記号」; notation and codes, not images in the mind.
  • Related符号ふごうWrittenWritten-style term for systematically built codes and signs such as plus and minus; technical notation rather than symbolism or mental imagery.
  • RelatedしるしNeutralNeutral, very common word for a mark one makes or a sign that serves as evidence; broader and more casual than the abstract 「表象」.
  • RelatedイメージNeutralNeutral loanword for the picture or impression that surfaces in the mind; the everyday choice where the philosophical 「表象」 would sound stiff.
  • RelatedマークNeutralNeutral loanword for marks, emblems and trademarks; concrete labels and logos rather than mental images or abstract representation.
  • Related符丁ふちょうCasualColloquial: an insiders' code, such as secret price marks on goods or trade argot and passwords; a private sign system, not a mental image or cultural symbol.
  • Related標ひょうWrittenSame word as 「印」 above; in written prose the spellings 「証」 and 「証し」 tend to mean proof or evidence, as in 「愛の証」.
  • Antonym実体じったいWrittenWritten word for the real substance or entity behind outward appearances; the counterpart of 「表象」 as mere representation.
  • Antonym実在じつざいWrittenWritten word for objective, real existence; it stands opposite 「表象」 as an image existing only in the mind.

「表象」 is a written-style term with two senses: in philosophy and psychology, an image arising in consciousness, and more broadly a symbol, as in 「文化の表象」. For everyday symbols use 「象徴」 or 「シンボル」; for a mental impression, 「イメージ」. 「記号」 and 「符号」 cover signs and codes, 「マーク」 logos and marks, 「符丁」 trade codes and jargon, 「印」 marks and proof; 「実体」 and 「実在」 are the antonyms.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 外面そとづらに表あらわれた形かたちや印しるし。
  2. 象徴しょうちょう。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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