noun
appearance of written words; visual impression of text
Refers to how written characters look on the page or screen, including font, layout, and overall visual feel.
See also: 字面
この書類は文字面がごちゃごちゃしていて読みにくい。
This document has a cluttered text appearance and is hard to read.
文字面だけ見ると難しそうな本だが、内容は意外と易しい。
Just looking at the text's appearance, the book seems difficult, but the content is surprisingly easy.
noun
literal meaning; superficial meaning
Focuses on the surface-level meaning of words or sentences, often contrasted with deeper implications or context.
See also: 字面
彼の言葉を文字面通りに受け取ってはいけない。
Don't take his words at face value.
文字面だけ追うと、本当の意図
If you only follow the literal meaning, you'll miss the real intention.
Compound of 文字 (moji, 'written character') and 面 (tsura, 'surface, face'), with rendaku voicing to -zura. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word transparently combines the concepts of 'character' and 'surface' to mean either the visual face of text or its surface-level meaning.