# 虚有其表

xū yǒu qí biǎo

Impressive in appearance but lacking substance

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Possess only an empty exterior

**Traditional Chinese:** 虛有其表

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[Perspective](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/perspective)

## When to use it

Criticize a mismatch between presentation and real quality.

Requires weak substance, not simply attractive packaging.

## Understanding the expression

The exterior promises something worthwhile, but examination reveals little behind it. A beautifully furnished hotel may provide poor service, or an impressive presentation may hide a weak argument. The expression invites comparison between appearance and actual function. It is stronger than saying something is overrated: it suggests that the visible excellence is largely hollow. Attractive appearance alone is not the problem; the failure to deliver corresponding substance is what matters.

## Examples

这台机器外观漂亮，却虚有其表。

### Traditional Chinese

這臺機器外觀漂亮，卻虛有其表。

zhè tái jī qì wài guān piào liang ， què xū yǒu qí biǎo 。

This machine looks attractive but lacks real quality.

报告排版精美，内容却虚有其表。

### Traditional Chinese

報告排版精美，內容卻虛有其表。

bào gào pái bǎn jīng měi ， nèi róng què xū yǒu qí biǎo 。

The report is beautifully laid out but hollow in content.

那家餐厅装修豪华，服务却虚有其表。

### Traditional Chinese

那家餐廳裝修豪華，服務卻虛有其表。

nà jiā cān tīng zhuāng xiū háo huá ， fú wù què xū yǒu qí biǎo 。

The restaurant’s luxurious appearance is not matched by its service.

他用实力证明自己并非虚有其表。

### Traditional Chinese

他用實力證明自己並非虛有其表。

tā yòng shí lì zhèng míng zì jǐ bìng fēi xū yǒu qí biǎo 。

He demonstrated through ability that he was more than just an impressive appearance.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%99%9B%E6%9C%89%E5%85%B6%E8%A1%A8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=708&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [喧宾夺主 xuān bīn duó zhǔ Let something secondary overshadow the main focus ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xuan-bin-duo-zhu)

- [学富五车 xué fù wǔ chē Exceptionally learned ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xue-fu-wu-che)

- [言过其实 yán guò qí shí Exaggerate beyond the facts ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-guo-qi-shi)

- [言简意赅 yán jiǎn yì gāi Be concise yet comprehensive ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yan-jian-yi-gai)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 栩栩如生 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xu-xu-ru-sheng) [Next idiom 虚与委蛇 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xu-yu-wei-yi)