Chinese word

外表

Pronunciation

Pinyinwài biǎo

Meaning

  • nounappearance

Example

别被外表骗了，他很聪明。bié bèi wài biǎo piàn le tā hěn cōng míng

Don't be fooled by appearances; he is very smart.

Illustration for 外表 (appearance)

More examples

她很注重外表，常常穿得很时尚。tā hěn zhù zhòng wài biǎo cháng cháng chuān de hěn shí shàng

She cares about her appearance and often dresses fashionably.

Core concept

The outward form that gives a person or thing an immediate impression.

Common phrases

  • 注重外表zhù zhòng wài biǎo

    care about appearance

  • 看重外表kàn zhòng wài biǎo

    value appearance

  • 外表美观wài biǎo měi guān

    attractive appearance

Similar words

外貌wài mào: The visible appearance and facial features of a person.
外观wài guān: The visible outer look and design of a thing.
形象xíng xiàng: The outward image or impression presented to other people.
外形wài xíng: The outer shape or outline of a person or thing.

Definition in Chinese

指人或事物外在可见的样子，常用来描述给人的直观印象，与内在或性格相对。zhǐ rén huò shì wù wài zài kě jiàn de yàng zi cháng yòng lái miáo shù gěi rén de zhí guān yìn xiàng yǔ nèi zài huò xìng gé xiāng duì

Word origin

The compound 外 (wài, "outside") + 表 (biǎo, "surface") describes the part that appears outwardly rather than what lies beneath it.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a word limited to facial features, this everyday noun applies to people and objects, including their general visible form.

Opposites

Word lists with this word