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March 24, 2026
显得(顯得)xiǎnde(xian3de5)
显得 (xiǎn de) means 'to seem' or 'to appear.' It is often used to describe how someone or something looks in a particular context or situation, conveying a sense of perception or impression. Commonly used in both formal and informal settings, it emphasizes the outward appearance or impression rather than the intrinsic qualities.
Frequency#2932DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the way someone appears can carry significant social implications, influencing perceptions in both personal and professional contexts. For instance, how one dresses for an interview can '显得' more competent or suitable for the position.
Memory Tip
Think of 显 (xiǎn) as a 'shining' appearance, where the character looks like a person showing off under bright lights. The radical 见 (jiàn) means 'to see,' helping you remember that it relates to how something is perceived. Together, 显得 suggests how something shines or presents itself to others.
Meanings of 显得
xiǎnde(xian3de5)
1to seem
2to look
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 显得
显得Simplified
顯得Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2932Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 显得
Podcast: 显得
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AI Study Notes for 显得
Quick Contrast
显得 (xiǎnde) vs 似乎 (sìhū) — use 显得 when emphasizing an impression based on appearance, whereas 似乎 conveys a sense of conjecture or uncertainty.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 显 (xiǎn) as a 'shining' appearance, where the character looks like a person showing off under bright lights. The radical 见 (jiàn) means 'to see,' helping you remember that it relates to how something is perceived. Together, 显得 suggests how something shines or presents itself to others.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 显得 with similar verbs like 看起来 (kàn qǐ lái), which means 'to look like' but is more direct. 显得 often implies a subjective judgment about appearance. It is commonly used with adjectives, such as 显得美丽 (xiǎn de měi lì - seems beautiful).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 显得 connects with other descriptive verbs and adjectives. Focus on using it with various adjectives to describe appearances, which will enhance your expressive capabilities in conversation. Practice forming sentences that reflect opinions on appearance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the way someone appears can carry significant social implications, influencing perceptions in both personal and professional contexts. For instance, how one dresses for an interview can '显得' more competent or suitable for the position.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 显得 with 显示 (xiǎn shì), which means 'to show.' For example, saying '他显得我很高兴' (Tā xiǎn de wǒ hěn gāoxìng) is incorrect; the correct phrase would be '我显得很高兴' (Wǒ xiǎn de hěn gāoxìng - I seem very happy).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 显得
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Grammar Patterns of 显得
显得 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
我拒绝接受帮助的时候时常____粗鲁无礼。
I was often rude and ungracious in refusing help.
Example Sentences for 显得 (10)
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1
我拒绝接受帮助的时候时常显得粗鲁无礼。
wǒ jù jué jiē shòu bāng zhù de shí hòu shí cháng xiǎn dé cū lǔ wú lǐ。
I was often rude and ungracious in refusing help.
2
26分钟之后他一瘸一拐地走出来，显得孤单凄凉。
26 26 fēn zhōng zhī hòu tā yī qué yī guǎi dì zǒu chū， lái ， xiǎn dé gū dān。
He looked a forlorn figure as he limped off after 26 minutes.
3
你一定注意到他有时候显得特别疲惫。
nǐ yī dìng zhù yì dào tā yǒu shí hòu xiǎn dé tè bié pí bèi。
You must have noticed how tired he sometimes looks.
4
新近发生的事情使得他的中心主题显得更加有的放矢。
xīn jìn fā shēng de shì qíng shǐ dé tā de zhōng xīn zhǔ tí xiǎn dé gēng jiā yǒu de fàng shǐ。
Recent events have made his central theme even more apposite.
5
原本显得沉闷枯燥的诗歌突然有了生气。
yuán běn xiǎn dé chén mèn kū zào de shī gē tū rán yǒu le shēng qì。
Poems which had seemed dull and boring suddenly came to life.
6
他的长相非常孩子气,显得性情很好且诚实坦率.
tā de cháng xiāng fēi cháng hái zǐ qì, , xiǎn dé xìng qíng hěn hǎo qiě chéng shí tǎn.
His classic boyish looks seemed to proclaim his good humour and openness.
7
他的西服皱巴巴的，整个人显得非常疲惫。
tā de xī fú zhòu bā bā de， ， zhěng gè rén xiǎn dé fēi cháng pí。
The Memorial seems almost ugly, dominating the landscape for miles around.
9
亚历山德拉穿着那身过时的衣裳，显得臃肿笨拙。
yà lì shān dé lā chuān zháo nà shēn guò shí de yī cháng， ， xiǎn dé yōng zhǒng bèn。
Alexandra looked plump and awkward in her cast-off clothing.
10
那件大衣使她显得十分妖艳。
nà jiàn dà yī shǐ tā xiǎn dé shí fēn yāo yàn。
That coat made her look so tarty.
Cultural Notes for 显得
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the way someone appears can carry significant social implications, influencing perceptions in both personal and professional contexts. For instance, how one dresses for an interview can '显得' more competent or suitable for the position.
Frequently Asked Questions about 显得
Yes, 显得 can be used with a wide range of adjectives to describe how something appears, but be mindful of the context.
显得 emphasizes subjective perception while 看起来 is more about direct observation.
Yes, 显得 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for different situations.
