Definition
变脸 literally means 'change face' and comes from Sichuan opera, where performers rapidly switch masks to show different emotions. In everyday use it describes someone's sudden change in attitude or expression — usually turning hostile or angry. It's a separable verb (离合词): you can insert elements between 变 and 脸, like 变了三次脸 ('changed face three times'). The word carries a theatrical, dramatic tone.
verb
to suddenly change one's expression or attitude (usually to a hostile one)
v.o.
(noun, culture) face-changing performance in Sichuan opera
Examples
- ，变脸。Tā gāngcái hái xiào zhe, tūrán jiù biàn liǎn le.He was smiling just now, then suddenly his expression changed.
- ，。Tánpàn zhōng duìfāng fān le sān cì liǎn, qìfēn hěn jǐnzhāng.During the negotiation, the other side changed their attitude three times, making the atmosphere tense.
- 变脸，。Chuānjù de biàn liǎn biǎoyǎn fēicháng jīngcǎi, guānzhòng dōu gǔzhǎng le.The face-changing performance in Sichuan opera was spectacular; the audience all applauded.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.