How to Write 表 (biǎo) — Meaning “Watch / Form / To express”

Imagine 'three rows of green beans (三横一竖) on a coat (衣)' — the top part looks like a pattern on a coat. This helps you recall that 表 means 'watch' (worn on clothes) or 'form' (like a chart on a shirt).

Write the top part first: three horizontal strokes then a vertical stroke from top to bottom. The bottom part 衣 has a small 丿 (left-falling) and 乚 (vertical hook) after the horizontal stroke. Common mistake: making the top too wide or forgetting the hook in 衣.

衣 is just the clothing radical alone (meaning 'clothing'), while 表 has additional strokes on top. 衮 (gǔn) means 'imperial robe' and adds a 公 (gōng) component inside the 衣, whereas 表 has a simpler top pattern. Visually, 表 is shorter and less cluttered than 衮.

表 is very common in daily life: for 'watch' (手表), 'to perform' (表演), and 'form/chart' (表格). In Chinese culture, giving a watch can symbolize time or express a wish for punctuality, and 表 is also used in formal documents like application forms.

Common words containing 表 include: 手表 (shǒu biǎo) — Watch.; 表演 (biǎo yǎn) — to perform; performance; 表格 (biǎo gé) — form; table.