Appearance refers to the external look of someone or something, distinct from their internal substance.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the visual appearance of people or things.
- Focuses on external features, not inner qualities.
- Crucial for first impressions and evaluations.
Overview
“外表”一词主要指代人或事物可见的、外部的形态、容貌或样子。它是一个中性词，可以用来描述人、动物、物体，甚至抽象概念的视觉呈现。在日常交流中，“外表”常被用来讨论吸引力、第一印象以及事物是否符合某种预期或标准。
“外表”可以单独使用，也可以与形容词搭配，描述其具体的外观特征，例如“漂亮的外表”、“朴实的外表”、“华丽的外表”。它还可以与动词连用，如“注重外表”、“改变外表”、“掩盖外表”。在句子中，“外表”可以作为主语、宾语或定语。例如：“他的外表很吸引人。”（主语）“我们不应只看事物的表象。”（宾语）“这是一件外表普通但功能强大的设备。”（定语）
“外表”常出现在以下语境中：
**文化对比**：有时会涉及不同文化对“外表”的重视程度，例如“西方文化似乎更看重外表”。
“外观”与“外表”意思非常接近，都可以指事物的外部形态。但“外观”更常用于描述物体、建筑、设计等，侧重于其整体的造型和风格，有时略带专业性。而“外表”则更广泛，可用于人，且更侧重于给人的直观视觉感受。
“容貌”特指人的面部特征和长相，是“外表”的一个子集，范围比“外表”窄，仅限于面部。例如，我们会说“她的容貌很美”，但不会说“这辆车的容貌很美”。
“样子”是一个更口语化、更通俗的词，可以指人或事物的外部形态或神态。它比“外表”更随意，有时也包含神情、姿态等动态信息。例如，“他那个样子很奇怪”。
“皮囊”通常带有一些负面或贬义的色彩，强调外表是肤浅的、不可靠的，有时甚至暗示外表背后隐藏着不好的东西。例如，“不要只看皮囊”。它比“外表”的含义更具主观评价性。
Examples
她有着天使般的外表，心地却十分善良。
everydayShe has an angelic appearance, but a very kind heart.
这件古董瓷器的外表保存完好，价值连城。
formalThe exterior of this antique porcelain is well-preserved and extremely valuable.
别看他外表冷酷，其实他是个热心肠。
informalDon't judge him by his cool exterior; he's actually a warm-hearted person.
研究表明，某些动物的外表与其生存环境有着高度的适应性。
academicResearch indicates that the appearance of certain animals is highly adapted to their environment.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
金玉其外，败絮其中
Golden jade on the outside, rotten cotton within (looks good but is bad inside)
人不可貌相
One cannot judge a book by its cover
表里如一
What's on the outside matches what's on the inside (consistent)
Often Confused With
While '外表' (wàibiǎo) can refer to both people and things, focusing on the visual impression, '外观' (wàiguān) is more commonly used for objects, buildings, or designs, emphasizing the overall style and form. '外表' is broader and more general for visual presentation.
'容貌' (róngmào) specifically refers to a person's facial features and looks. It's a subset of '外表', which encompasses the entire external look including body shape and attire. You can't describe a car's '容貌', but you can describe its '外表'.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '外表' is neutral and can be used in formal and informal contexts. It's important to consider the context when using it, as excessive focus on '外表' can sometimes imply superficiality. Be mindful of using it when discussing people, ensuring it doesn't sound judgmental.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using '外表' to describe abstract qualities like intelligence or personality directly. For instance, saying 'He has a smart appearance' is incorrect; it should be 'He looks smart' or 'He has an intelligent demeanor'. Also, ensure you are not confusing it with '容貌' (face) when the context is specifically about facial features.
Tips
Focus on More Than Just Looks
While appearance is important for first impressions, remember that inner qualities like personality and skills are often more enduring.
Beware of Judging by Appearance
Judging individuals or things solely based on their external appearance can lead to prejudice and missed opportunities. True value often lies beneath the surface.
Cultural Views on Appearance
Different cultures place varying degrees of importance on physical appearance. Understanding these differences can foster better cross-cultural communication and reduce stereotypes.
Word Origin
The word '外表' is composed of '外' (wài), meaning 'outside' or 'external', and '表' (biǎo), meaning 'surface' or 'appearance'. Together, they directly translate to 'external appearance'.
Cultural Context
In many East Asian cultures, while appearance is acknowledged, there is often a strong cultural emphasis on inner virtues, character, and substance over mere looks. This is reflected in sayings that advise against judging solely by '外表'.
Memory Tip
Think of '外表' as the 'outer layer' or 'shell' that you see first. It's the visible part, like the wrapping on a gift, before you know what's inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“外表”可以指人或事物的外部形态，更侧重于给人的直观视觉感受。“外观”通常指物体、建筑等的整体造型和风格，有时更偏向专业描述。
“外表”本身是一个中性词，不带有褒贬色彩。但根据语境，它可以被用来表达正面或负面的评价。例如，“注重外表”可以是积极的，也可以被批评为肤浅。
两者都常用。但“容貌”特指面部，而“外表”范围更广，包括身材、穿着等整体形象。讨论整体形象时用“外表”更合适。
“皮囊”通常带有贬义，暗示外表不可靠或具有欺骗性。而“外表”是中性的，只是描述事物看起来的样子。
Test Yourself
我们不应该仅仅根据一个人的______来判断他。
句子强调不应只看外部，因此“外表”最合适。
以下哪个句子正确使用了“外表”？
“外表”指视觉上的样子。“聪明”是内在品质，“香”是气味，“关注他的外表”不如“关注他的内在”常见且积极。
词语：朴素，外表，他，虽然，但是，内心，善良
“虽然...但是...”是固定搭配，连接两个对比的句子，放在句首更自然。
Score: /3
Summary
Appearance refers to the external look of someone or something, distinct from their internal substance.
- Refers to the visual appearance of people or things.
- Focuses on external features, not inner qualities.
- Crucial for first impressions and evaluations.
Focus on More Than Just Looks
While appearance is important for first impressions, remember that inner qualities like personality and skills are often more enduring.
Beware of Judging by Appearance
Judging individuals or things solely based on their external appearance can lead to prejudice and missed opportunities. True value often lies beneath the surface.
Cultural Views on Appearance
Different cultures place varying degrees of importance on physical appearance. Understanding these differences can foster better cross-cultural communication and reduce stereotypes.
Examples
4 of 4她有着天使般的外表，心地却十分善良。
She has an angelic appearance, but a very kind heart.
这件古董瓷器的外表保存完好，价值连城。
The exterior of this antique porcelain is well-preserved and extremely valuable.
别看他外表冷酷，其实他是个热心肠。
Don't judge him by his cool exterior; he's actually a warm-hearted person.
研究表明，某些动物的外表与其生存环境有着高度的适应性。
Research indicates that the appearance of certain animals is highly adapted to their environment.
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