Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== wàibiǎo: 外表 - Appearance, Exterior, Looks ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 外表, waibiao, Chinese for appearance, looks in Chinese, Chinese word for exterior, physical appearance in Chinese, judge by appearance, 外貌, 样子, surface * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word 外表 (wàibiǎo), which means "appearance," "exterior," or "looks." This page explores how to use 外表 to describe the physical appearance of people and objects, its cultural significance in proverbs like "don't judge a book by its cover," and how it contrasts with related concepts like public image (形象) and inner character (内在). A must-know HSK 4 vocabulary word for any beginner. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wàibiǎo * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** 4 * **Concise Definition:** The outward appearance, exterior, or surface of a person or thing. * **In a Nutshell:** 外表 (wàibiǎo) is your go-to word for what you see on the outside. It's the direct equivalent of "appearance" or "looks" in English. It's a neutral term that can be used to describe a person's physical features, the facade of a building, or the surface of an object. Think of it as the "outer shell" of anything you're looking at. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **外 (wài):** This character means "outside," "exterior," or "foreign." It's a fundamental character used in words like "foreigner" (外国人, wàiguórén) and "takeout" (外卖, wàimài). * **表 (biǎo):** This character means "surface," "table/chart," or "to show." Here, its meaning of "surface" is the most relevant. * The combination is very logical: 外 (outside) + 表 (surface) = 外表 (wàibiǎo), the "outside surface" or external appearance of something. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, there's a well-known tension between the importance of appearance and the wisdom of looking beyond it. On one hand, the famous proverb **人不可貌相 (rén bù kě mào xiàng)**—"a person cannot be judged by their appearance"—is taught from a young age. This is the direct equivalent of the English "you can't judge a book by its cover." It reflects a traditional value of prioritizing a person's inner character (内在, nèizài) and abilities (能力, nénglì) over their superficial looks. On the other hand, in modern society, especially in urban areas and competitive environments, a good 外表 is often seen as important. It relates to the concept of **形象 (xíngxiàng)**, or one's "public image." Presenting a neat, professional, and pleasant appearance is considered a sign of self-respect and respect for others. This is particularly true in job interviews, business meetings, and even social situations like blind dates. The rise of the internet slang term **颜值 (yánzhí)**, or "face value," highlights the growing emphasis on physical attractiveness in contemporary Chinese culture. So, while traditional wisdom warns against judging by 外表, modern reality often demands that one pay attention to it. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== 外表 is a common and versatile word used in daily conversation, writing, and formal settings. * **Describing People:** This is the most frequent usage. It's a neutral way to talk about someone's looks, and you typically pair it with an adjective. * e.g., `他的外表很普通。` (Tā de wàibiǎo hěn pǔtōng.) - His appearance is very ordinary. * e.g., `她有一个漂亮的外表。` (Tā yǒu yí ge piàoliang de wàibiǎo.) - She has a beautiful appearance. * **Describing Objects and Places:** It's also used to describe the exterior of non-living things. * e.g., `这个建筑的外表很有特色。` (Zhège jiànzhù de wàibiǎo hěn yǒu tèsè.) - The exterior of this building is very distinctive. * **Figurative Meaning:** Less commonly, it can refer to the surface level of a situation or problem. * e.g., `我们不能只看问题的外表。` (Wǒmen bù néng zhǐ kàn wèntí de wàibiǎo.) - We can't just look at the surface of the problem. Its formality is neutral, making it appropriate for almost any situation, from chatting with friends to writing a formal report. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们不应该只根据**外表**来判断一个人。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi zhǐ gēnjù **wàibiǎo** lái pànduàn yí ge rén. * English: We shouldn't judge a person based only on their appearance. * Analysis: This sentence expresses a common piece of wisdom and is a perfect example of the term's core meaning. * **Example 2:** * 他的**外表**看起来很冷漠，其实内心很热情。 * Pinyin: Tā de **wàibiǎo** kàn qǐlái hěn lěngmò, qíshí nèixīn hěn rèqíng. * English: His appearance seems cold and indifferent, but actually, he is very warm-hearted. * Analysis: This highlights the contrast between someone's exterior (外表) and their inner self (内心). * **Example 3:** * 她非常在意自己的**外表**，每天都花很多时间打扮。 * Pinyin: Tā fēicháng zàiyì zìjǐ de **wàibiǎo**, měitiān dōu huā hěn duō shíjiān dǎban. * English: She cares a lot about her appearance and spends a lot of time getting ready every day. * Analysis: Here, "在意 (zàiyì)" means "to care about" or "to mind," showing how 外表 can be the object of someone's concern. * **Example 4:** * 这家餐厅**外表**不起眼，但食物非常美味。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng **wàibiǎo** bù qǐyǎn, dàn shíwù fēicháng měiwèi. * English: The exterior of this restaurant is unremarkable, but the food is delicious. * Analysis: This demonstrates how 外表 can be used for places, not just people. "不起眼 (bù qǐyǎn)" means "unremarkable" or "unnoticeable." * **Example 5:** * 别被他的**外表**骗了，他其实很狡猾。 * Pinyin: Bié bèi tā de **wàibiǎo** piàn le, tā qíshí hěn jiǎohuá. * English: Don't be deceived by his appearance; he's actually very cunning. * Analysis: The structure "被...骗了 (bèi...piàn le)" means "to be deceived by...". This is a common warning. * **Example 6:** * 这个手机的**外表**设计很吸引人。 * Pinyin: Zhège shǒujī de **wàibiǎo** shèjì hěn xīyǐn rén. * English: The exterior design of this phone is very attractive. * Analysis: A great example of using 外表 to talk about product design. * **Example 7:** * 几年不见，他的**外表**变化很大。 * Pinyin: Jǐ nián bú jiàn, tā de **wàibiǎo** biànhuà hěn dà. * English: I haven't seen him in a few years, and his appearance has changed a lot. * Analysis: This shows how 外表 can be discussed in the context of change over time. * **Example 8:** * 一个人的能力比他的**外表**更重要。 * Pinyin: Yí ge rén de nénglì bǐ tā de **wàibiǎo** gèng zhòngyào. * English: A person's ability is more important than their appearance. * Analysis: This sentence uses the comparative structure "A 比 B 更 (A bǐ B gèng...)" to state a value judgment. * **Example 9:** * 警察根据目击者的描述，画出了嫌疑人的**外表**特征。 * Pinyin: Jǐngchá gēnjù mùjīzhě de miáoshù, huà chūle xiányírén de **wàibiǎo** tèzhēng. * English: Based on the eyewitness's description, the police sketched the suspect's physical features. * Analysis: Here, 外表 is modified by "特征 (tèzhēng)" to mean "physical characteristics" or "features." * **Example 10:** * 我们要透过问题的**外表**看本质。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen yào tòuguò wèntí de **wàibiǎo** kàn běnzhì. * English: We need to see through the surface of the problem to its essence. * Analysis: This is a classic figurative use of the word, where 外表 means "surface" and 本质 (běnzhì) means "essence" or "true nature." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`外表` vs. `样子 (yàngzi)`:** These are often confused. * **外表 (wàibiǎo)** refers to the static, overall physical appearance. It's more objective. (e.g., `他的外表很帅` - His appearance is handsome.) * **样子 (yàngzi)** is more informal and dynamic. It can refer to a temporary look, a manner, or a state. (e.g., `看他高兴的样子！` - Look how happy he looks!) You would not say `看他高兴的外表`. * **`外表` vs. `外貌 (wàimào)`:** These are very close synonyms. * **外貌 (wàimào)** is slightly more formal and is used almost exclusively for a person's facial features and overall physical look. * **外表 (wàibiǎo)** is broader. You can describe a building's `外表`, but not its `外貌`. For people, they are often interchangeable. * **Common Mistake:** Confusing appearance with character. A beginner might say `他的外表很好` intending to say "He is a good person." This is incorrect. This sentence only means "His physical appearance is good." To talk about character, you would use words like `性格 (xìnggé)` or `人品 (rénpǐn)`. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[外貌]] (wàimào) - A slightly more formal synonym for a person's physical appearance or features. * [[样子]] (yàngzi) - A more informal word for "look" or "appearance"; can also mean "manner" or "state." * [[形象]] (xíngxiàng) - Image or persona (e.g., a company's image, a celebrity's public image). It's broader than just physical looks. * [[颜值]] (yánzhí) - Modern slang for one's level of physical attractiveness, literally "face value." * [[气质]] (qìzhì) - Disposition, aura, or charisma. An inner quality that is projected outward, often seen as a contrast to one's mere 外表. * [[内在]] (nèizài) - The direct antonym: inner quality, internal nature, intrinsic. * [[表面]] (biǎomiàn) - Surface. More literal than 外表, often used for the physical surface of an object (e.g., the surface of a table). * [[打扮]] (dǎban) - (Verb) To dress up, to make oneself up. This is the //action// of changing one's 外表. * [[外在]] (wàizài) - External, extrinsic. A broader adjective that encompasses 外表. The opposite of [[内在]].