Definition
要面子 is a verb-object phrase built on the cultural concept of 面子 ('face' — social reputation and dignity). It means to be overly concerned with how others perceive you, often going out of your way to save face or avoid embarrassment. The phrase can be separated: for example, 要什么面子 ('what face is there to care about?') or 要了一次面子 ('cared about appearances once'). In Chinese social contexts, being too concerned with face can be seen as insincere or impractical.
v.o.
to be concerned about appearances / reputationoften to an excessive degree
Examples
- 要面子，。Tā tài yào miàn zi le, míngmíng cuò le yě bú dàoqiàn.He cares too much about face; even though he's clearly wrong, he won't apologize.
- ，。Wèile yí cì hézuò, tā bú yào miànzi qù qiú duìfāng.For the sake of a partnership, he set aside his pride and went to beg the other party.
- 要面子，。Nǐ bié zǒng shì yào miàn zi, ǒu'ěr diū diǎn miànzi yě méi shénme.Don't always worry about appearances; it's okay to lose a bit of face once in a while.
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