Explore 表 in words for surfaces and expressing ideas. Learn each reading with its whole word.

The idea

表 has eight strokes; follow the linked diagram. 表（おもて） means the front or outer side; 表す（あらわす） means to express. Compounds include 発表（はっぴょう） and 表情（ひょうじょう）.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
表おもてThe front of the door is red.
表すあらわすShe expresses her feelings in words.
発表はっぴょうI will give a presentation on the results tomorrow.
表情ひょうじょうHis expression changed.

Examples

  • 扉とびらの表おもては赤あかいです。The front of the door is red.
  • 彼女かのじょは気持きもちを言葉ことばで表あらわします。She expresses her feelings in words.
  • 明日あした、結果けっかを発表はっぴょうします。I will give a presentation on the results tomorrow.
  • その表ひょうを見みてください。Please look at the table.
  • 彼かれの表情ひょうじょうが変かわりました。His expression changed.
  • ノートの表紙ひょうしに名前なまえを書かきました。I wrote my name on the cover of the notebook.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

表 can also mean a table, read ひょう. Do not assume every occurrence is read おもて; context and the complete word determine the reading. 裏 is the reverse side.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 表す in hiragana.

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    あらわす

    表す is あらわす: it means to express, as in expressing feelings in words.

  2. Write the reading of 表情 in hiragana.

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    ひょうじょう

    表情 is ひょうじょう: it means a facial expression; learn the compound as a whole.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 発＿（はっぴょう）［表／裏］.

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    表

    表 completes 発表（はっぴょう）, a presentation or announcement. 裏 means the reverse side.

Use it today

Write 表 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 表す and 表情, then make a sentence with one.