出头露面 (chū tóu lù miàn) — to appear in public (often implying taking initiative or seeking attention); to take the lead (in a public or visible capacity)

Definition

A chengyu meaning to step forward and be seen in public — often with the sense of taking initiative or being conspicuous. Carries a slight hint of 'seeking the spotlight' in some contexts, though it can be neutral when someone simply steps up.

idiom
to appear in public (often implying taking initiative or seeking attention)to take the lead (in a public or visible capacity)

Examples

  • 出头露面，。
    Tā zǒng xǐ huan chū tóu lù miàn, shén me shì dōu yào qiǎng zhe zuò.
    He always likes to take the lead, rushing to do everything.
  • 出头露面，？
    Zhè jiàn shì xū yào yǒu rén chū tóu lù miàn, nǐ yuàn yì ma?
    This matter needs someone to step forward — are you willing?
  • ，出头露面。
    Tā xìng gé nèi xiàng, bù xǐ huan zài zhòng rén miàn qián chū tóu lù miàn.
    She has an introverted personality and doesn't like to appear in public.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

出头come into view
出chūcome out头tóuhead
动宾Verb + object
露面show the face
露lùshow面miànface
动宾Verb + object

出头 (coming into view) and 露面 (showing the face) combine to mean appearing publicly or taking the lead.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 頭; 头 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yèhead
Sound part声符shēngfú
豆
豆dòu頭tóu
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 頭 shows 頁, meaning head, beside 豆 as a sound component; the simplified 头 is a later shorthand.

Open 头 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
雨雨yǔ
Sound part声符shēngfú
路
路lù露lù
Same sound today

露 pairs 雨, a rain-related meaning part, with 路, a sound part.

Open 露 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

面 originally drew a man’s face, with one eye exaggerated; the horizontal stroke was added later.

Open 面 →

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