面子 can refer to social prestige or face, as well as an outer surface.
Words and selected meanings#
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning in this context |
|---|---|---|
| 面子 | miàn zi | social prestige; face |
| 丢脸 | diū liǎn | to lose face; humiliation |
A practical way to interpret the context#
When interpreting an interaction, separate the words a person actually used from your explanation of their motives. Ask for clarification privately if appropriate. A dictionary meaning does not establish that a particular decision was caused by face, or that all members of a national group respond alike.
Scope and source#
This is a vocabulary-based introduction and a set of editorial questions. It does not measure how frequently a practice occurs or describe the beliefs of all Chinese people.
Lexical data adapted from CC-CEDICT contributors, distributed by MDBG, 23 October 2026 release, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses have been selected and shortened. Dictionary release.
Neutral-tone syllables are unmarked in the pinyin display; the dictionary source uses the number 5. Pronunciation notation reference.