变脸 (biàn liǎn) — (verb) to suddenly change one's expression or attitude (usually to a hostile one); (noun, culture) face-changing performance in Sichuan opera
Definition
Literally 'change face'. In everyday use it means a sudden shift in expression or attitude, usually turning hostile. In Sichuan opera (川剧) it refers to the rapid face-mask-switching performance art.
verb
to suddenly change one's expression or attitude (usually to a hostile one)(noun, culture) face-changing performance in Sichuan opera
Examples
- ，变脸。Tā gāng cái hái xiào zhe, tū rán jiù biàn liǎn le.He was smiling just now, then suddenly his expression changed.
- ，。Tán pàn zhōng duì fāng fān le sān cì liǎn, qì fen hěn jǐn zhāng.During the negotiation, the other side changed their attitude three times, making the atmosphere tense.
- 变脸，。Chuān jù de biàn liǎn biǎo yǎn fēi cháng jīng cǎi, guān zhòng dōu gǔ zhǎng le.The face-changing performance in Sichuan opera was spectacular; the audience all applauded.
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