表面

• 拼音: biǎo miàn
• 汉字拆解: 表 = originally meaning outer surface; 面 = pictograph of a face, meaning face or surface

含义

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.

例句

1. 湖的表面非常平静。
2. 表面上他很开心，其实心里很难过。
3. 不要只看事情的表面。

用法指南

语境: description, analysis, everyday

语气: reflective

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal