表ひょう面めん上じょう

adverb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

on the surface; ostensibly; superficially

Describes how something appears outwardly, often implying that the reality may be different. Used both as an adverb and as a no-adjective.

• 表ひょう面めん上じょうは仲なかが良よさそうだが、実じつはあまり話はなさない。

  On the surface they seem to get along, but actually they don't talk much.

• 彼かれの説せつ明めいは表ひょう面めん上じょうは筋すじが通とおっている。

  His explanation seems logical on the surface.