Definition
照面 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to meet face-to-face' or 'to show up'. The verb 照 and the object 面 can split when you add aspect markers (了, 过), measure words, or modifiers between them — e.g. 打了个照面 ('bumped into each other briefly'). The person you meet is introduced with 跟 or 和. It's also common in negative phrases like 不照面 ('not show up').
v.o.
to meet face-to-face (often briefly or accidentally)to put in an appearanceto show up
Examples
- 。Wǒmen zuótiān zài jiē shàng dǎ le ge zhào miàn.We bumped into each other on the street yesterday.
- 照面。Tā kāihuì cónglái bù zhào miàn.He never shows up at meetings.
- 。Wǒ gēn tā zhǐ zhào guò yí cì miàn.I've only met her once.
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