表面 biǎomiàn — surface; outward appearance
biǎomiàn (third tone, dipping)biao3mian4
surface; outward appearance
HSK 5· HSK 1–6 (classic)Level 3· 2021 three-band, nine-level proficiency standardnoun
Meanings
surface; outward appearance
The literal outside of a thing, and the figurative outside of a situation. In the second sense it is almost always in play against 本质, and usually in the frame 表面上 — "on the face of it".
noun
Example sentences
- 桌子表面很干净。桌子表面很乾淨。Zhuōzi (first tone, high and level) biǎomiàn (third tone, dipping) hěn (third tone, dipping) gānjìng. (first tone, high and level)···
The surface of the table is clean.
- 他表面上很平静，其实很着急。他表面上很平靜，其實很著急。Tā (first tone, high and level) biǎomiàn (third tone, dipping) shàng (fourth tone, falling) hěn (third tone, dipping) píngjìng, (second tone, rising) qíshí (second tone, rising) hěn (third tone, dipping) zháojí. (second tone, rising)···
On the surface he is calm; in fact he is very anxious.