exemplify

Compared meaning: to show or explain using an example (verb).

比较义项：用例子加以说明、展示（v.）。

• illustrate

  Used when someone actively uses an example, picture or diagram to make an idea or process clearer; the subject performs the explaining, not just represents a quality.

  当有人主动用例子、图片或图表把某个概念或过程讲清楚时使用illustrate；主语是在做解释说明的动作，而不只是代表某种品质。

  The teacher used a diagram to illustrate the process clearly.

  老师用一张图表把这个过程清楚地讲解出来。

• exemplify 本词

  Used when something itself is a perfect or typical instance of a quality or category, with no active explaining involved; often followed by abstract nouns like style, spirit or problem.

  当某事物本身就是某种品质或类别的典型例子时使用exemplify，不涉及主动解释的动作；后面常跟抽象名词，如风格、精神、问题等。

  This painting exemplifies the artist's unique style perfectly.

  这幅画完美地体现了这位艺术家独特的风格。

Illustrate and exemplify both involve using examples, but they work differently. Illustrate means someone actively uses an example, picture, or diagram to explain an idea. Exemplify means something itself is a typical example of a quality or category, without any active explaining.

这两个词都和“用例子”有关，容易被学习者混淆，但用法不同：illustrate强调主动用例子、图片或图表把某个概念或过程讲清楚；exemplify强调某事物本身就是某种品质或类别的典型例子，不涉及主动解释的动作。