顔を立てる

• 読み: かおをたてる
• ローマ字: kao wo tateru
• 漢字の分解: 顔 (gan/kao) — face; 立 (ritsu/ta) — stand, establish
• 発音: /ka.o.o.ta.te.ɾɯ/

意味

To save face; to show deference; to make someone look good. To act in a way that preserves another person's dignity or reputation.

An expression using Group 2 (ichidan) verb 立てる. Literally 'to stand up someone's face,' meaning to act in a way that protects or enhances another person's reputation or social standing. Central to Japanese social dynamics where maintaining harmony and respecting hierarchies is essential. Often involves yielding credit or deferring to someone publicly.

例文

1. 先輩の顔を立てて意見を控えた。
2. 部長の顔を立てるために提案を受け入れた。
3. 相手の顔を立てることも社会では大切だ。

使い方ガイド

場面: business, social relations, hierarchy

トーン: diplomatic

起源と歴史

From the concept of 顔 (face) as social reputation — a notion shared across East Asian cultures. 立てる (to stand, raise) here means to uphold or elevate, so the expression means to uphold someone's social face.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal