Japanese word

表面

Pronunciation

Romajihyōmen

Meaning

  • nounsurface

Example

テーブルの表面を拭きます。tē bu ru no hyō men o fu ki ma su

I wipe the surface of the table.

Illustration for 表面 (surface)

More examples

テーブルの表面をきれいにします。tē bu ru no hyō men o ki re i ni shi ma su

I clean the surface of the table.

この箱の表面には大きな絵が描かれています。ko no bako no hyō men ni wa ō ki na e ga ega ka re te i ma su

A large picture is drawn on the surface of this box.

Core concept

It focuses on the outside layer or face of an object rather than its inside.

Common phrases

  • 表面の汚れhyō men no yogo re

    dirt on the surface

  • 表面を磨くhyō men o miga ku

    polish the surface

  • 表面が乾くhyō men ga kawa ku

    the surface dries

Similar words

外側sotogawa: The part or layer on the outside of an object.
表側hyōsoku: The outer face of an object, especially the side that is seen or used.
面men: A flat side or surface of an object.

Definition in Japanese

物の外側にあって、目に見えたり手で触れたりする部分。mono no soto gawa ni a tte me ni mi e ta ri te de fu re ta ri su ru bu bun

Word origin

表面 (hyōmen) combines 表 (hyō, "front" or "outer side") and 面 (men, "face" or "surface"), describing the outside face of something.

Usage tips

  • In descriptions of change, 表面 (hyōmen) often points to what is visible on the outside while a deeper cause or condition lies beneath it.

Other meanings

  • facenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 表面的hyōmentekisuperficialna-adjective
  • 表面化hyōmenkabecoming apparentnoun

Word lists with this word