Translation guide
How to talk about how something or someone looks from the outside, including physical appearance, surface impression, and visible form.
Describing how someone looks, their visible features, style, or overall impression.
The most common and natural way to say 'outward appearance' for people. Refers to the visual impression someone gives.
彼は見た目は怖いけど、実は優しい。
He looks scary, but he's actually kind.
見た目にこだわりすぎないほうがいい。
You shouldn't be too obsessed with your appearance.
A slightly more formal word for outward appearance, often used in contrast to inner character.
外見だけで人を判断してはいけない。
Don't judge people by their appearance alone.
Refers to one's looks or physical features, often used in formal contexts like job requirements or beauty standards.
容姿端麗な女性
a woman of striking beauty
Describing how an object, building, or item looks from the outside.
The standard word for the outward appearance of buildings, products, or objects. Focuses on the external look.
この建物は外観が美しい。
This building has a beautiful exterior.
外観デザインを重視した製品
a product with an emphasis on exterior design
Often implies that the appearance may be deceptive or different from reality. Used for both people and things.
Contrasting how something seems on the surface with what it actually is.
Refers to the surface or outward appearance, often with a negative nuance of shallowness or pretense.
うわべだけの優しさ
superficial kindness
うわべに惑わされないで。
Don't be fooled by appearances.
Literally 'surface', can be used metaphorically for outward appearance.
Emphasizing the physical form or shape that can be seen.
見た目 is the most casual and common for people's looks. 外見 is slightly more formal and often used in contrast with inner qualities. 外観 is specifically for objects and buildings, not for people.
見た目は普通の人だけど、実は有名人だ。
He looks like an ordinary person, but he's actually a celebrity.
外見よりも中身が大切だ。
What's inside is more important than outward appearance.
この車の外観はスポーティーだ。
The exterior of this car is sporty.
外観 is only for objects, buildings, etc. Using it for a person would sound unnatural. Use 見た目 or 外見 instead.
It looks old on the outside, but the inside is new.
表面だけ見て判断するのは危険だ。
It's dangerous to judge only by the surface.
The clouds look like the shape of an animal.