Looking up...
The outward appearance or look of a person, object, or thing, often referring to physical features or first impressions.
外見だけで人を判断するのはよくない。
It's not good to judge people based solely on their appearance.
この商品は外見は地味だが、性能は優れている。
This product has a plain appearance but excellent performance.
外見 emphasizes the visual aspect of something, often contrasted with 内面 (naimen, 'inner qualities').
While 外見 and 見た目 both mean 'appearance,' 外見 is more formal and often used in abstract or evaluative contexts (e.g., judging people or products). 見た目 is more casual and focuses purely on visual perception.
外見 is often contrasted with 内面 (inner qualities) or 実質 (substance). Use 外見 when discussing superficial aspects that may not reflect true nature.
外見 is a compound of 外 (outside) and 見 (to see). The word dates back to classical Japanese, where it originally referred to external observation or superficial judgment.
外見 is often used in contexts where appearance contrasts with substance or reality. It can be neutral but is sometimes used critically to highlight superficiality.