Definition
脸上无光 is a set phrase meaning 'to lose face' or 'to be disgraced.' It literally translates to 'no light on the face' — the 'face' here refers to social prestige or dignity, not the physical face. You use it when someone has done something embarrassing or shameful that lowers their social standing in front of others. It's a fixed expression; you can't change the word order or insert words between the syllables.
f.e.
to lose faceto be disgraced (said of someone whose reputation or social standing suffers a blow)
Examples
- ，脸上无光。Kǎoshì méi jígé, tā juéde liǎn shǎng.He failed the exam and felt like he lost face.
- 脸上无光。Dāngzhòng bèi pīpíng ràng tā liǎn shǎng.Being criticized in public made him lose face.
- ，脸上无光。Jiārén fàncuò, tā yě gēnzhe liǎn shǎng.When his family members made mistakes, he also lost face by association.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.