Chinese word

正面

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhèng miàn

Meaning

  • nounfront

Example

车的正面被撞坏了。chē de zhèng miàn bèi zhuàng huài le

The car's front was hit and damaged.

Illustration for 正面 (front)

More examples

请从正面进入建筑。qǐng cóng zhèng miàn jìn rù jiàn zhù

Please enter the building from the front.

Core concept

The side that faces outward or faces something directly, on an object or in an encounter.

Common phrases

  • 车的正面chē de zhèng miàn

    front of the car

  • 建筑的正面jiàn zhù de zhèng miàn

    front of the building

  • 照片的正面zhào piān de zhèng miàn

    front of the photograph

Similar words

对面duì miàn: The person or place facing someone or something from the opposite side.
前面qián miàn: The front position or front part of a person or thing.
表面biǎo miàn: The outside part of an object that can be seen.
背面bèi miàn: The rear side or rear position of a person or thing.

Definition in Chinese

物体或人直接相对、面对的那一侧；引申为在态度或问题上正面、直接应对的方式。wù tǐ huò rén zhí jiē xiāng duì miàn duì de nà yí cè yǐn shēn wèi zài tài dù huò wèn tí shàng zhèng miàn zhí jiē yìng duì de fāng shì

Word origin

正 (zhèng, "straight") + 面 (miàn, "surface") forms the idea of a surface turned straight toward something, extending from an object's front to direct engagement.

Usage tips

  • When it describes a reply, confrontation, or treatment of an issue, it highlights direct engagement without by itself implying either politeness or aggression.

Other meanings

  • positiveadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word