Moran (2000:229) – Phainomenon means …

Thus for Heidegger, phainomenon means ‘that which show’s itself in itself, the manifest’ (das Offenbare, BT § 7, 51; 28). Phenomenology has to do with self-manifestation. Things show themselves in many ways, depending on the modes of access we have to them: indeed sometimes things show themselves as what they are not, in cases of dissembling, seeming, illusion, and other such phenomena. Heidegger gives a careful analysis of these different senses of appearing and strongly emphasizes that dissemblance, mere appearance, semblance, and illusion are all secondary senses dependent on the primary meaning of ‘phenomenon’ as that which shows itself in itself… phenomenology is seeking after a meaning which is perhaps hidden by the entity’s mode of appearing. In that case, the proper model for seeking meaning is the interpretation of a text and for this reason Heidegger links phenomenology with hermeneutics. How things appear or are covered up must be explicitly studied. The things themselves always present themselves in a manner which is at the same time self-concealing.

(MORAN  , Dermot. Introduction to Phenomenology. London: Routledge, 2000, p. 229)