脸

• Pinyin: liǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 脸 = 月 (flesh/body radical) + 佥 (phonetic component)

Meaning

Face. The front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin.

Besides the physical meaning, 脸 is culturally significant in Chinese — it relates to the concept of 'face' (dignity, reputation). Losing face (丢脸) and giving face (给面子) are important social concepts.

Examples

1. 她的脸红了。 Her face turned red.
2. 早上起来要先洗脸。 You should wash your face first thing in the morning.
3. 他的脸上有一个笑容。 There is a smile on his face.

Usage Guide

Context: appearance, daily routine, emotion

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 你脸上有东西。(You have something on your face.)
• 她的脸很小。(Her face is very small.)

Don't Say

• 不要说'你的脸不好看' (Don't say someone's face looks ugly — this is very rude in Chinese, where 面子 is deeply tied to dignity)

Origin & History

Originally written as 臉. The character combines 月 (flesh/body radical) and 佥 (phonetic component). It specifically refers to the cheeks and face.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal