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面子 (miàn zi) — (figurative) face, social prestige, dignity; (literal) outer surface, the outside of something

Definition

面子 is the figurative 'face / social prestige' — your standing in others' eyes, the image you protect. Don't confuse with 面部, the literal physical face.

noun
(figurative) facesocial prestigedignity(literal) outer surfacethe outside of something

Examples

  • 面子，。
    Zhè jiàn yī fu de miàn zi shì sī chóu zuò de, hěn guāng huá.
    The outer surface of this piece of clothing is made of silk, very smooth.
  • ，面子。
    Zài tán pàn zhōng, shuāng fāng dōu yào gěi duì fāng liú diǎn miàn zi.
    During negotiations, both sides should save some face for each other.
  • 面子，。
    Tā wèi le miàn zi, jiè qián yě yào qǐng péng you chī dà cān.
    For the sake of face, he would borrow money to treat his friends to a big meal.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

面miànface/surface
子zǐending

面 gives the idea of a surface or face, and 子 adds a familiar ending; it means outward appearance or prestige.

Characters in this word

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 →

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

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract ConceptsSociety & Public Life

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