相貌 (xiàng mào) is a formal noun meaning 'appearance' or 'looks', especially referring to facial features and overall physical impression. The first character 相 (xiàng) means 'to observe' or 'appearance' in classical usage, while 貌 (mào) means 'appearance', 'countenance', or 'outward look'. Together, they emphasize the visible, outward aspect of a person’s face and general bearing — not just beauty, but distinctiveness, expression, or even perceived character reflected in the face.

This term is commonly used in descriptive writing, biographical contexts, or when evaluating someone’s physical presence — for example, in literature, job interviews (though rarely said directly), or discussions about aging, resemblance, or first impressions. It carries a neutral-to-slightly literary tone and is rarely used for animals or objects; it’s almost exclusively human-centered and focuses on the face as a window to identity or personality.