表面(ひょうめん)

ひょうめん
noun
surface, outside
1. surface, outside
The outer layer or exterior of something.
水(みず)の表面(ひょうめん)に氷(こおり)が張(は)っている。
Ice has formed on the surface of the water.
表面(ひょうめん)張力(ちょうりょく)について学(まな)んだ。
I learned about surface tension.
表面(ひょうめん)張力(ちょうりょく) = surface tension (physics)
机(つくえ)の表面(ひょうめん)を磨(みが)いた。
I polished the surface of the desk.
2. outward appearance
What appears on the outside, as opposed to what is hidden or internal.
表面(ひょうめん)は平(へい)和(わ)に見(み)えるが内(うち)部(ぶ)では問題(もんだい)がある。
On the surface it looks peaceful, but there are problems inside.
表面(ひょうめん)的(てき)には仲(なか)がいいように見(み)える。
On the surface, they seem to get along well.
表面(ひょうめん)的(てき) = superficial, on the surface
表面(ひょうめん)上(じょう)は賛成(さんせい)しているが本当(ほんとう)は反対(はんたい)だろう。
On the surface they agree, but they're probably against it in reality.
表面(ひょうめん)上(じょう) = superficially, ostensibly

表面(ひょうめん) means surface — both the physical outer layer of an object and figuratively the outward appearance of a situation.

Physical sense

Figurative sense

Similar words

裏面(りめん): reverse side, back surface.

Related Words

Antonym: 裏面(りめん) (reverse side)
Compare: 外見(がいけん) (outward appearance)
Compare: 見掛(みか)け (appearance)
Compare: 外側(そとがわ) (outside)
Compare: 片面(かためん) (one side)
Compare: 平面(へいめん) (flat surface)
Related: 断面(だんめん) (cross-section)
Compare: 全面(ぜんめん) (the whole surface)
Compare: 表側(おもてがわ) (front side)
general
Added 2026.1.13 0:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
03500/03587_hyoumen