Chinese word

表面

Pronunciation

Pinyinbiǎo miàn

Meaning

  • nounsurface

Example

别只看表面，要看实际内容。bié zhǐ kàn biǎo miàn yào kàn shí jì nèi róng

Don't just look at the surface; look at the actual content.

Illustration for 表面 (surface)

More examples

表面层很薄，容易受损。biǎo miàn céng hěn báo róng yì shòu sǔn

The surface layer is very thin and easily damaged.

Core concept

The visible outer layer or outward impression, set against what lies inside.

Common phrases

  • 表面层biǎo miàn céng

    surface layer

  • 保护表面bǎo hù biǎo miàn

    protect the surface

  • 只看表面zhǐ kàn biǎo miàn

    look only at the surface

Similar words

外面wài miàn: The part or area on the outside of a thing or place.
里面lǐ miàn: The part or area on the inside of a thing or place.
样子yàng zi: The outward appearance or visible state of a person or thing.

Definition in Chinese

事物显露出来的外在状态或给人的外观印象，有时与内部或本质相对。shì wù xiǎn lù chū lái de wài zài zhuàng tài huò gěi rén de wài guān yìn xiàng yǒu shí yǔ nèi bù huò běn zhì xiāng duì

Word origin

表面 (biǎomiàn, "surface") combines 表 (biǎo, "outer or shown") + 面 (miàn, "face or side"), creating the idea of the side that is exposed to view.

Usage tips

  • For everyday conversations, 表面 (biǎomiàn, "surface") helps mark the difference between a first impression and fuller understanding without claiming that the first impression is false.

Other meanings

  • appearancenoun
  • outsidenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word