The Meaning of arawasu [現す] In Japanese

現す
あらわす
Romaji: arawasu N5

What does 現す mean?

Translation and Meaning

reveal, display, show, manifest

Definition

現す means to bring into sight or make perceptible by presenting or expressing something that exists or is imagined, turning it into a visible or tangible form.

Type

verb (godan)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • to reveal something hidden or not yet visible
  • to express or display an emotion, quality, or fact through action, speech, or appearance
  • to manifest or demonstrate a phenomenon in a tangible or narrative sense
  • to indicate or show something indirectly through description or portrayal

Etymology

現 denotes the present or appearance, and す is the verb ending; together they form a native Japanese verb meaning to make something present or to reveal.

Composition

  • 現: present, appear, reality
  • す: verb-ending that turns the word into a verb

Usage

Used as a transitive verb in formal and everyday contexts to reveal or make visible; common in written narrative, journalism, and technical writing; structured as Xを現す with concrete objects or ideas; in casual speech speakers may prefer 表す or 見せる for similar meaning.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a curtain being drawn to reveal the present moment; the kanji 現 evokes the sense of making something visible now, and the verb ending す activates the action.

Variations

  • 表す (arawasu) — to express, reveal
  • 示す (shimesu) — to indicate, demonstrate
  • 顕す (arawasu) — to reveal, make apparent (rare)

Example Phrases

  • 彼女はみんなの前で静かに自分の気持ちを現す。
    Kanojo wa minna no mae de shizuka ni jibun no kimochi o arawasu.
    She quietly reveals her own feelings in front of everyone.
    Lista:
    • 彼女は (Kanojo wa) – she
    • みんなの前で (minna no mae de) – in front of everyone
    • 静かに (shizuka ni) – quietly
    • 自分の気持ちを (jibun no kimochi o) – one’s own feelings
    • 現す (arawasu) – to reveal/express
    現す here means ‘to reveal/express’ one’s feelings, as in 自分の気持ちを現す. Put 「」around the kanji for emphasis.
現す