虚有其表 in English xu1 you3 qi2 biao3 Meaning

Meanings

  • looks impressive but is worthless (idiomatic expression)
  • not as good as it looks
  • a reputation with no substance

Simplified Characters

虚 有 其 表

Traditional Characters

虛 有 其 表

Pinyin

xu1 you3 qi2 biao3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

虚xu1emptiness 有you3to have 其qi2his 表biao3exterior surface