Japanese word

面目

Pronunciation

Romajimenboku

Meaning

  • nounface

Example

これで面目が立ちます。ko re de men boku ga ta chi ma su

This will save face.

Illustration for 面目 (face)

More examples

皆の前で失敗しましたが、最後に正解して面目を保ちました。mina no mae de ship pai shi ma shi ta ga sai go ni sei kai shi te men boku o tamo chi ma shi ta

I failed in front of everyone, but I saved face by getting the final answer right.

Core concept

Refers to the public standing and self-respect that a person seeks to maintain in the eyes of others.

Common phrases

  • 面目を保つmen boku o tamo tsu

    save face

  • 面目が立つmen boku ga ta tsu

    save face

  • 面目を失うmen boku o ushina u

    lose face

Similar words

面子mentsu: The public respect or social standing that a person tries to protect.
体面taimen: A respectable public appearance and the dignity associated with it.
名誉meiyo: The good reputation and respect that a person receives from others.

Definition in Japanese

世間に対して保たれる名誉や体面。se ken ni tai shi te tamo ta re ru mei yo ya tai men

Word origin

面目 (menboku) combines 面 (men, "face") and 目 (moku, "eye"); together they came to express a person's visible standing and honor.

Usage tips

  • The English expression save face uses face in the same social sense, meaning that a person preserves public standing rather than protecting a literal face.

Other meanings

  • honornoun
  • dignitynoun
  • reputationnoun

Opposites

  • 不名誉fumeiyodishonornoun

Word lists with this word