表面

• Pinyin: biǎo miàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 表 = originally meaning outer surface; 面 = pictograph of a face, meaning face or surface

Meaning

Surface; exterior; appearance. The outer side of something, or the outward appearance as opposed to the inner reality.

Used both literally (surface of water, surface of a table) and figuratively (outward appearance vs. inner truth). 表面上 means 'on the surface' or 'apparently.' Often implies that the reality underneath is different.

Examples

1. 湖的表面非常平静。 The surface of the lake is very calm.
2. 表面上他很开心，其实心里很难过。 On the surface he looks happy, but inside he's actually very sad.
3. 不要只看事情的表面。 Don't just look at the surface of things.

Usage Guide

Context: description, analysis, everyday

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 表面上看起来很简单。(It looks simple on the surface.)
• 这个桌子的表面很光滑。(The surface of this table is very smooth.)

Don't Say

• 他的表面很好看 (Don't use 表面 to describe someone's appearance — use 外表 or 长相 for a person's looks. 表面 is for objects or figurative appearances)

Origin & History

Compound of 表 (outer, surface) and 面 (face, side), meaning the outer face of something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal