“揭发” (jiēfā) is a word deeply embedded in the modern Chinese social and political consciousness. While its direct translation is “to expose,” its cultural weight is far heavier. Historically, the term is strongly associated with political campaigns in 20th-century China, particularly the Cultural Revolution, where individuals were often pressured or forced to “揭发” family members, friends, and colleagues for perceived political disloyalty. This has left a complex legacy where the act of `揭发` can be seen as both a civic duty and a profound betrayal. A useful Western comparison is “whistleblowing,” but they are not identical.
This tension makes `揭发` a powerful and dramatic concept in Chinese news, film, and literature.
“揭发” is a formal and serious term. You would not use it for trivial matters.
A common mistake for learners is to use `揭发` for any kind of revealing. It is specifically for wrongdoing.