表面 biǎomiàn surface
surface; face; outside; appearance
How to remember 表面: 表 indicator + 面 face = surface.
Characters
How it is used
- Surface - literal outer layer 桌子的表面 (zhuōzi de biǎomiàn) the table's surface, and figurative appearances: 表面上 (biǎomiàn shàng) on the surface / outwardly.
- Strong 'superficial vs real' use: 表面客气，其实… outwardly polite, but actually…
- So it covers both a physical face and a deceptive outward look.
Example sentences
- 美貌只是表面性的东西。 Měimào zhǐshì biǎomiànxìng de dōngxī.Beauty is but skin deep.
- 重力将一切带下地球表面。 Zhònglì jiāng yīqiè dài xià dìqiúbiǎomiàn.Gravity brings everything down to Earth.