Chinese word

面目全非

Pronunciation

Pinyinmiàn mù quán fēi

Meaning

  • idiombecome completely different

Example

多年不修，这个院子面目全非。duō nián bù xiū zhè ge yuàn zi miàn mù quán fēi

After years without repairs, this courtyard has become completely different.

Illustration for 面目全非 (become completely different)

More examples

事故后，车子面目全非，无法修复。shì gù hòu chē zi miàn mù quán fēi wú fǎ xiū fù

After the accident, the car was completely unrecognizable and could not be repaired.

Core concept

A familiar face or setting loses the features that once made it recognizable.

Common phrases

  • 变得面目全非biàn de miàn mù quán fēi

    become unrecognizable

  • 使面目全非shǐ miàn mù quán fēi

    make unrecognizable

  • 弄得面目全非nòng de miàn mù quán fēi

    change beyond recognition

Similar words

判若两人pàn ruò liǎng rén: A dramatic change in a person's looks or personality that makes the person seem like someone else.
改头换面gǎi tóu huàn miàn: Changing the visible form or manner of behavior to present a different outward image.
面目一新miàn mù yì xīn: Being transformed into a fresh, pleasing, and renewed appearance or atmosphere.
脱胎换骨tuō tāi huàn gǔ: Being transformed from within so deeply that the nature or condition seems completely renewed.

Definition in Chinese

原有的容貌或原本呈现的状态完全改变，已无原先样子。yuán yǒu de róng mào huò yuán běn chéng xiàn de zhuàng tài wán quán gǎi biàn yǐ wú yuán xiān yàng zi

Word origin

The idiom joins 面目 (miànmù, "appearance") with 全非 (quánfēi, "completely unlike before") to show that the earlier form has disappeared.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, the idiom often carries disappointment about the result rather than simple surprise at a difference.

Other meanings

  • unrecognizableidiom

Opposites

  • 依然如故yī rán rú gùremain as beforeidiom
  • 面目一新miàn mù yì xīnlook completely newidiom

Word lists with this word