Definition
表面 has two meanings: the physical surface of something (e.g. 石头表面), and an outward appearance that may hide the real situation (e.g. 表面上 'on the surface'). Compared to 外表 (wàibiǎo, HSK6) and 外观 (wàiguān, HSK5), 表面 often implies a contrast between appearance and reality, while 外面 (wàimiàn) and 外部 (wàibù) mean 'outside' as a location, not the surface itself.
noun
surface (the outer or top layer of something)outward appearancefacade (as opposed to the real situation)
Examples
- 表面。Zhè kuài shítou biǎo miàn fēicháng cūcāo.This rock's surface is very rough.
- 表面，。Cóng biǎo miàn shàng kàn, zhège jìhuà hěn jiǎndān.On the surface, this plan looks very simple.
- 表面，。Tā biǎo miàn shàng hěn píngjìng, qíshí hěn jǐnzhāng.She appears calm on the surface, but she's actually very nervous.
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.