all show and no substance; superficially attractive
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
merely looks good on the outside; all show and no substance
Used to criticize something that appears attractive or well-made superficially but lacks quality, substance, or good interior. Often appears in the construction '只求外面光' (only seeking outward appearances).
Zuò做
shì事
yào要
jiǎng讲
shí实
jì际
xiào效
guǒ果
，
bù不
néng能
zhǐ只
qiú求
wài外
miàn面
guāng光
。
When doing things, one must focus on actual results, not just outward appearances.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
chǎn产
pǐn品
wài外
miàn面
guāng光
，
lǐ里
miàn面
zhì质
liàng量
hěn很
chà差
。
This kind of product looks good on the outside, but the quality inside is very poor.
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Wǒ我
men们
bù不
néng能
zuò做
wài外
miàn面
guāng光
de的
shì事
，
yào要
zhù注
zhòng重
shí实
xiào效
。
We cannot do things that are just for show; we must focus on actual effectiveness.