表面上

biǎomiànshang

adverb

Meanings

On the surface - superficially, what appears to be true.

HSK 4

表面上他很开心，其实内心很难过。

Biǎomiànshang tā hěn kāixīn, qíshí nèixīn hěn nánguò.

On the surface he seems happy, but deep down he's sad.

HSK 4

表面上看起来很简单，做起来却很难。

Biǎomiànshang kànqǐlái hěn jiǎndān, zuò qǐlái què hěn nán.

It looks simple on the surface, but it's actually hard to do.

HSK 7-9

他们表面上关系很好，私下里却经常吵架。

Tāmen biǎomiànshang guānxi hěn hǎo, sīxià lǐ què jīngcháng chǎojià.

They seem to get along on the surface, but they often argue in private.

usage

表面上...其实/实际上... is a very common pattern: 'On the surface... but actually...' It contrasts appearance with reality.

表 biǎo

面 miàn

上 shàng