本来面目 (běn lái miàn mù) — original appearance, true nature (of a person or thing)
Definition
A set phrase (chengyu-style) meaning a person's or thing's 'true nature / original face' — what's really underneath the surface. Often used when a hidden reality is finally exposed, as in 暴露本来面目.
noun
original appearancetrue nature (of a person or thing)
Examples
- ，本来面目。Shí jiān yì cháng, tā de běn lái miàn mù jiù bào lù chū lái le.Given time, his true colors came out.
- 本来面目。Wǒ men yào tòu guò xiàn xiàng kàn dào shì wù de běn lái miàn mù.We must see the true nature of things through the appearances.
- 本来面目。Zhè bù diàn yǐng jiē shì le shè huì dǐ céng de běn lái miàn mù.This film reveals the true face of the bottom of society.
Appears in
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