Chinese word

面子

Pronunciation

Pinyinmiàn zi

Meaning

  • nounface

Example

他很在意面子，不肯道歉。tā hěn zài yì miàn zi bù kěn dào qiàn

He cares a lot about saving face and refuses to apologize.

Illustration for 面子 (face)

More examples

他当众给了她面子，没有揭穿她的错误。tā dāng zhòng gěi le tā miàn zi méi yǒu jiē chuān tā de cuò wù

He showed her respect in public and did not point out her mistake.

Core concept

The public standing that rises or falls with how a person or group appears to others.

Common phrases

  • 给面子gěi miàn zi

    show respect

  • 丢面子diū miàn zi

    lose face

  • 讲面子jiǎng miàn zi

    care about appearances

Similar words

体面tǐ miàn: A dignified appearance and proper manner shown in front of other people.
面目miàn mù: The honor and good standing that a person has in the eyes of the public.
颜面yán miàn: The respect and social prestige that other people grant to someone.

Definition in Chinese

在社交中指个人或群体为维护自尊、名誉或体面而重视的公共形象和声誉。zài shè jiāo zhōng zhǐ gè rén huò qún tǐ wèi wéi hù zì zūn míng yù huò tǐ miàn ér zhòng shì de gōng gòng xíng xiàng hé shēng yù

Word origin

The literal idea of a face or outer surface in 面 (miàn, "face") broadens through 子 (zi, "noun-forming suffix") into a person's outward social standing.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear face as mainly physical, but this noun can explain why a correction is made privately rather than in front of a group.

Other meanings

  • dignitynoun
  • honornoun
  • reputationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 面子问题miàn zi wèn tíface-related issuenoun
  • 面子文化miàn zi wén huàface culturenoun

Word lists with this word