揭发

揭發

jiēfā

verb HSK 7-9 #7,933

Meanings

1 to expose; to reveal (wrongdoing)
2 to report (someone's crimes)

Characters

to uncover; to reveal

to send out; to bring to light

Literally 'uncover and bring to light' — pulling back the curtain on someone's misdeeds.

Examples

她勇敢地揭发了公司的腐败行为。

Tā yǒnggǎn de jiēfā le gōngsī de fǔbài xíngwéi.

She bravely exposed the company's corruption.

他的犯罪行为被人揭发了。

Tā de fànzuì xíngwéi bèi rén jiēfā le.

His criminal behavior was exposed.

Tips

usage

揭发 implies exposing someone to the authorities or the public — it's a serious, formal word. For casually telling on someone (tattling), use 告状 (gàozhuàng). 揭发 is often seen in anti-corruption campaigns: 揭发检举 (jiēfā jiǎnjǔ, report and expose).

Stroke Order

揭 jiē

发 fā