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面色 (miàn sè) — complexion; facial expression

Definition

Literary/formal word for 'complexion' or 'facial expression', used in writing about health or mood. More formal than everyday 表情 (expression) or 脸色 (look on one's face).

noun
complexionfacial expression

Examples

  • 面色，。
    Tā miàn sè cāng bái, hǎo xiàng shēng bìng le.
    He has a pale complexion, as if sick.
  • ，面色。
    Tīng dào zhè ge huài xiāo xi, tā miàn sè níng zhòng.
    Upon hearing this bad news, her expression was grave.
  • 面色。
    Cháng qī áo yè huì yǐng xiǎng miàn sè.
    Staying up late over a long period can affect your complexion.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

面miànface
色sècolor

面色 joins 面 (face) and 色 (color) to mean the color or look of someone's face.

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 →

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

  • 爪爪zhuǎclaw; hand
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

色 pairs 爪 (a hand) with 卩 (a kneeling person), showing a hand pressing down on the kneeling person.

Open 色 →
Appears in
Body Parts

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