How common it is
表面 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say biǎomiàn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
表面表示外面或看得到的一层。
biǎo miàn biǎo shì wài miàn huò kàn dé dào de yì céng。
表面 means the outside surface or the visible layer.
Context note
表面也可表示看起来的样子。
biǎo miàn yě kě biǎo shì kàn qǐ lái de yàng zi。
It can also mean how something appears on the outside.
5 examples
桌子表面很光滑。
zhuō zi biǎo miàn hěn guāng huá。
The table surface is smooth.
不要只看表面。
bú yào zhī kàn biǎo miàn。
Do not just look at the surface.
表面上很简单。
biǎo miàn shàng hěn jiǎn dān。
On the surface, it looks simple.
墙的表面有点脏。
qiáng de biǎo miàn yǒu diǎn zāng。
The wall's surface is a little dirty.
事情没有表面那么简单。
shì qíng méi yǒu biǎo miàn nà me jiǎn dān。
The matter is not as simple as it looks.
5 mini stories
他看到水面表面很平静。
tā kàn dào shuǐ miàn biǎo miàn hěn píng jìng。
He saw the surface of the water was calm.
表面看起来轻松，实际上很难。
biǎo miàn kàn qǐ lái qīng sōng， shí jì shang hěn nán。
It looks easy on the surface, but is actually hard.
老师提醒大家别只看表面。
lǎo shī tí xǐng dà jiā bié zhī kàn biǎo miàn。
The teacher reminded everyone not to look only at the surface.
鞋子表面有一点灰。
xié zǐ biǎo miàn yǒu yì diǎn huī。
There is a little dust on the shoe surface.
她学会了从表面看到本质。
tā xué huì le cóng biǎo miàn kàn dào běn zhì。
She learned to see the essence beyond the surface.