Meaning

Primary

External Appearance

Alternatives

Outward Demeanor, Surface

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The outside face of something is its external appearance.

外面 usually refers to someone's outward demeanor or behavior, especially when it's considered inauthentic somehow. In other situations, this word can also just mean the literal surface of something.

Reading

そとづら
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)
がいめん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This word has two readings, そとづら and がいめん. We'll focus on the more common そとづら one here. But you didn't learn the つら reading with 面, and it gets rendaku'd in this word, so here's a mnemonic:

Your external appearance is always perfect because before meeting anyone, you put on a du-rag (づら). The du-rag magically makes you seem kind and friendly, even when you're not. It's just a part of your outward demeanor, or そとづら.

Reminder: The そとづら reading usually implies a kind of deceptive outward demeanor. For a neutral word for surfaces or external appearances, like the exterior of a building, use がいめん.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 外面を見る

    to look at the exterior, to judge by appearances

    外面をかざる

    to decorate the exterior

    外面をみがく

    to polish the exterior

Context Sentences

彼女の外面にだまされない方がいいですよ。

You shouldn't be fooled by her outward appearance.

彼は外面が良く、人前ではいつも笑顔を見せています。

He has a good outward appearance and always smiles in public.

このメガネは、レンズの外面のカーブをフラットにしているので、周辺部のボヤケやユガミが少ないんです。

These glasses have a flat curvature on the outer surface of the lens, so there's less distortion and glare in the peripheral areas.

Kanji Composition