Chinese word

脸色

Pronunciation

Pinyinliǎn sè

Meaning

  • nouncomplexion

Example

他的脸色不太好。tā de liǎn sè bú tài hǎo

His complexion doesn't look very good.

Illustration for 脸色 (complexion)

More examples

锻炼后，他的脸色看起来红润多了。duàn liàn hòu tā de liǎn sè kàn qǐ lái hóng rùn duō le

After exercising, his complexion looked much rosier.

Core concept

A person's face acts as a visible readout of feeling or attitude through its color and expression.

Common phrases

  • 脸色发青liǎn sè fā qīng

    complexion turns bluish

  • 脸色变了liǎn sè biàn le

    complexion changes

  • 注意脸色zhù yì liǎn sè

    pay attention to one's complexion

Similar words

表情biǎo qíng: A facial expression that communicates emotion or reaction.
神色shén sè: A person's emotional state as shown by the face or eyes.
气色qì sè: Facial color and skin condition that suggest a person's health.
面色miàn sè: The visible look of a person's face, including its color, suggesting physical condition or mood.

Definition in Chinese

指通过面部的表情或血色判断出的情绪或态度。zhǐ tōng guò miàn bù de biǎo qíng huò xuè sè pàn duàn chū de qíng xù huò tài dù

Word origin

脸 (liǎn, "face") + 色 (sè, "color") first describes the face's visible color or appearance, then extends to the feelings or attitude inferred from it.

Usage tips

  • The word often describes a temporary change caused by tiredness, illness, embarrassment, or annoyance, so context helps identify whether the speaker notices health or attitude.

Other meanings

  • expressionnoun
  • moodnoun

Word lists with this word