ngoại quan
Definition
Noun:
- External appearance / outward appearance: The physical look, form, or visible aspect of a person, object, or place.
- Exterior / facade: The outer surface or structure of something, often considered in terms of its aesthetic or impressive quality.
Noun (specialized usage):
- Extrospection (in psychology): The observation of things external to the self; the act of examining outward, objective phenomena. (This is a direct loan translation and a rare, technical usage.)
Usage Examples
- Noun (General):
- Tòa nhà có ngoại quan rất hiện đại. (The building has a very modern external appearance.)
- Anh ấy rất chú trọng đến ngoại quan của chiếc xe. (He pays great attention to the outward appearance of the car.)
- Noun (Specialized):
- Phương pháp ngoại quan trong tâm lý học. (The method of extrospection in psychology.)
Advanced Usage
- Used in formal, descriptive, or evaluative contexts, often related to architecture, design, product quality, and urban planning.
- Can imply a judgment or assessment based solely on what is visible from the outside.
Variants and Related Words
- Diện mạo (n): visage, overall appearance (often for people or large concepts like a city).
- Bề ngoài (n): the outside, superficial appearance (can sometimes carry a nuance of being superficial or not reflecting inner truth).
- Mặt tiền (n): facade (specifically of a building).
Synonyms
- Exterior
- Outward look
- Facade
- Appearance
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Đánh giá qua ngoại quan: to judge by outward appearance.
- Không nên đánh giá con người chỉ qua ngoại quan. (One should not judge a person solely by outward appearance.)
- Chú trọng ngoại quan: to emphasize/pay attention to the exterior.
- Dự án này chú trọng ngoại quan và công năng. (This project emphasizes exterior design and functionality.)