save face for someone; do somebody a favor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb phrase
save face for someone; show consideration for someone's feelings or pride
neutralOften used in social contexts to ask for or grant leniency or respect to avoid embarrassing someone. The variant '给脸' has the same meaning and is slightly more informal.
Kàn看
zài在
wǒ我
de的
miàn面
zi子
shàng上
，
nǐ你
jiù就
gěi给
tā他
ge个
miàn面
zi子
ba吧
。
For my sake, please do him this favor.
Lǎo老
bǎn板
dāng当
zhe着
dà大
jiā家
de的
miàn面
pī批
píng评
tā他
，
yī一
diǎn点
dōu都
méi没
gěi给
tā他
miàn面
zi子
。
The boss criticized him in front of everyone, not saving him any face at all.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
Wǒ我
men们
shì是
lǎo老
péng朋
you友
le了
，
zhè这
diǎn点
xiǎo小
shì事
nǐ你
zǒng总
děi得
gěi给
wǒ我
diǎn点
miàn面
zi子
。
We're old friends, you have to do me this small favor.
Tā他
dāng当
zhòng众
jù拒
jué绝
le了
yāo邀
qǐng请
，
wán完
quán全
méi没
gěi给
zhǔ主
bàn办
fāng方
miàn面
zi子
。
He publicly declined the invitation, showing no respect for the organizers.
Yě也
shuō说
'
gěi给
liǎn脸
'
，
yì意
si思
yī一
yàng样
。
Also said as 'give face,' meaning the same thing.