表

Originally pictographic, later semantic extension.

Components:

衣 (clothing) – indicates something worn or covering;

毛 (fur, hair) – indicates hair or surface texture.

Originally, 表 depicted the outer garment or fur on the surface – symbolizing the outer layer. Over time, it generalized to mean “outside”, “surface”, and then “to show”.

During script evolution, the form simplified: 衣 + 毛 became a compressed 亠 + 毛.

Semantic development:

- outer garment;

- exterior; outside surface;

- outward appearance;

- to display or express outwardly;

- table or chart (arranged outward presentation of data).

표면 (表面) — surface

발표 (發表) — to announce

대표 (代表) — representative

목표 (目標) — target; goal

表 fundamentally conveys outward appearance or expression.

Related characters:

裏 — inside

示 — to show

In philosophical or literary contexts, 表 can imply outward manifestation versus inner reality.

Contrasted with 裏 (리 / lǐ) – meaning “inside.”

表 = outside, exterior;

裏 = inside, interior.

Modern Simplified Chinese: 表 also covers 錶 (watch), so “wristwatch” is written 手表 in China.