Definition
脸面 is the Chinese concept of 'face' — one's social standing, reputation, and dignity in front of others. It's a more formal term than the everyday 面子 and appears in contexts of maintaining social harmony, avoiding embarrassment, or preserving someone's sense of worth. Losing 脸面 (丢脸面) is a serious social loss, and saving 脸面 (给脸面) shows respect and tact.
n.
one's social standing and reputationface (in the Chinese cultural sense)self-respectdignity
Examples
- ,脸面。Zài tánpàn zhōng, shuāngfāng dōu hěn zhòngshì zìjǐ de liǎn miàn.In negotiations, both sides attach great importance to their face.
- ,脸面。Tā dāngchǎng jiēchuān huǎngyán, ràng duìfāng diū jìn le liǎn miàn.He exposed the lie on the spot, making the other party lose all face.
- 脸面,。Wǒmen děi gěi tā liú diǎn liǎn miàn, búyào dāngmiàn pīpíng tā.We should save his face; don't criticize him to his face.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.