superficial
/supeɾfiˈθjal/ · B2 · adj
superficial
🥄 super + ficial: from Latin superficies, the face on top (super + facies)
Spanish superficial comes from Latin superficies, 'surface', built from super (above) + facies (face, form). Something superficial stays on the top layer and never goes deeper, so it lacks substance. Same root as English superficial and surface.