外面(がいめん)

がいめん
noun
outward appearance, exterior, outer surface
1. exterior surface, outer surface, outside
The physical outer surface or side of an object. The concrete, physical meaning.
建物(たてもの)の外面(がいめん)を塗(ぬ)り替(か)える。
To repaint the exterior surface of a building.
箱(はこ)の外面(がいめん)にラベルを貼(は)る。
To put a label on the outside of the box.
壁(かべ)の外面(がいめん)は風雨(ふうう)にさらされて劣化(れっか)しやすい。
The outer surface of walls is prone to deterioration from exposure to wind and rain.
2. outward appearance, public face, external behavior
How someone presents themselves to others, as opposed to their true nature or private behavior. Often implies a gap between appearance and reality.
外面(がいめん)がいい人(ひと)だ。
He's someone who puts on a good face in public.
外面(がいめん)は穏(おだ)やかだが、内面(ないめん)は激(はげ)しい人(ひと)だ。
He appears calm on the outside, but is intense on the inside.
外面(がいめん)ばかり気(き)にして、中身(なかみ)が伴(ともな)っていない。
They only care about outward appearances and lack substance.

Usage

Sense 2 often carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting superficiality or a gap between public behavior and true character. The expression 外面(がいめん)がいい describes someone who is charming in public but may behave differently in private.

Similar words

  • 外面(がいめん): outer surface / outward appearance
  • 内面(ないめん): inner side / inner nature, personality

Note on reading

Also read as そとづら in the colloquial expression 外面(そとづら)がいい (puts on a good front for outsiders), which has a stronger negative connotation.

Common collocations

Related Words

Antonym: 内面(ないめん) (inner side)
Compare: 外観(がいかん) (exterior appearance)
Related: 内面描写(ないめんびょうしゃ) (portrayal of inner feelings)
general
Added 2026.2.20 18:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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