外表

• Pinyin: wài biǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 外 = 夕 (evening) + 卜 (divination) — divining outside at night, hence 'outside'; 表 = 毛 (fur) + 衣 (clothing) — the fur side of a garment, i.e., outside/surface

Meaning

Outward appearance; exterior; looks. The visible surface or external impression of a person or thing.

Refers to physical appearance in people (looks, dress, demeanour) and the exterior of objects (a building's facade, a product's packaging). Often used in contrast with inner character or quality. Common in discussions of first impressions, beauty standards, and the gap between appearance and reality.

Examples

1. 她外表看起来冷漠，其实内心非常温暖。 She looks cold and distant on the outside, but is actually very warm at heart.
2. 不要只凭外表来评判一个人，内在品格更为重要。 Don't judge a person by their outward appearance alone — inner character is far more important.
3. 这款手机外表设计简洁大方，很受年轻消费者欢迎。 This phone has a clean and elegant exterior design that is very popular with young consumers.

Usage Guide

Context: personal, social, commerce, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他外表成熟稳重，其实才二十五岁。(He looks mature and composed on the outside, but he's actually only twenty-five.)
• 产品外表再好看，质量不行也是白搭。(No matter how good the product looks on the outside, if the quality isn't there, it's all for nothing.)

Don't Say

• 把外表和形象完全等同 (外表 focuses on physical appearance; 形象 is broader and includes reputation and public image)

Origin & History

Compound of 外 (outside, external) + 表 (surface, show). Together mean 'the external surface that is shown,' i.e., outward appearance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal