表面 (biǎo miàn) — surface (the outer or top layer of something); outward appearance, facade (as opposed to the real situation)
Definition
表面 means 'surface' or 'outward appearance' — often used to contrast what looks true with what really is (e.g. 表面上). Unlike 外面 (literal outside) or 外部 (exterior), it emphasizes how something appears rather than a physical location.
noun
surface (the outer or top layer of something)outward appearancefacade (as opposed to the real situation)
Examples
- 表面。Zhè kuài shí tou biǎo miàn fēi cháng cū cāo.This rock's surface is very rough.
- 表面，。Cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn, zhè ge jì huà hěn jiǎn dān.On the surface, this plan looks very simple.
- 表面，。Tā biǎo miàn shàng hěn píng jìng, qí shí hěn jǐn zhāng.She appears calm on the surface, but she's actually very nervous.
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