be concerned about face-saving; worry about losing prestige
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to be overly concerned with saving face; to fear being looked down upon
neutralOften describes a personality trait where someone avoids situations that might cause embarrassment or loss of dignity, even to their own detriment. Can be used neutrally or slightly negatively.
Lǎo老
Lǐ李
tè特
bié别
ài爱
miàn面
zi子
，
cóng从
bù不
zhāng张
kǒu口
qiú求
rén人
。
Old Li is extremely concerned about face and never asks anyone for help.
Tā他
jiù就
shì是
tài太
ài爱
miàn面
zi子
le了
，
cái才
huì会
huā花
nà那
me么
duō多
qián钱
qǐng请
kè客
。
He just cares too much about face, which is why he spent so much money hosting the dinner.
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Bié别
nà那
me么
ài爱
miàn面
zi子
，
bù不
dǒng懂
jiù就
wèn问
ma嘛
。
Don't be so worried about saving face; if you don't understand, just ask.
Ài爱
miàn面
zi子
de的
xīn心
lǐ理
ràng让
tā他
bù不
kěn肯
chéng承
rèn认
zì自
jǐ己
de的
cuò错
wù误
。
His concern for face made him unwilling to admit his mistake.
Yǒu有
xiē些
jiā家
zhǎng长
yīn因
wèi为
ài爱
miàn面
zi子
，
zǒng总
shì是
ná拿
zì自
jǐ己
de的
hái孩
zi子
hé和
bié别
rén人
bǐ比
jiào较
。
Some parents, because they care about face, are always comparing their own children to others'.