由表及里 yóubiǎojílǐ to see the essence Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 由 yóu preposition from from; starting at a place or time表 biǎo noun surface (bound form) surface; exterior; outside及 jí verb to reach To reach a certain point, level, or standard; to arrive at or come up to.里 裡 lǐ locative inside internal; interior; inside