In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony is often prioritized. This can mean that people may not always directly express their true feelings, especially if those feelings are negative or could cause conflict. The concept of 表面 (biǎomiàn) is deeply tied to this. What happens “on the surface” is what preserves harmony and social grace. This can be contrasted with some Western cultures, particularly American culture, where “being authentic” or “saying what you mean” is often highly valued. A discrepancy between one's surface behavior and inner feelings might be viewed as hypocrisy or insincerity. In a Chinese context, however, managing one's 表面 can be seen as a sign of emotional maturity, respect, and social skill. It's not about being fake; it's about being considerate. For example, a colleague might seem perfectly fine on the 表面 after receiving criticism, but they may be deeply upset internally. This is done to give “face” (面子) to the person who gave the criticism and to avoid an uncomfortable confrontation in the workplace. Understanding 表面 is a key step to reading situations and understanding the unspoken communication that is so prevalent in Chinese social interactions.
表面 (biǎomiàn) is an extremely common and practical word used in various contexts.