skin of the face; sense of shame; consideration for others' feelings
Meanings
3 senses · 10 examplesnoun
skin on the face
Refers literally to the skin on a person's face. Often used to describe its color or condition.
Her facial skin is fair and clean, like a porcelain doll.
Years of exposure to wind and sun have made his facial skin dark, sallow, and rough.
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This moisturizer is very gentle on sensitive facial skin.
noun
consideration for others' feelings; face-saving
informalAn abstract concept related to social grace and preserving mutual respect and dignity in interactions.
For the sake of our old classmates' friendship, we couldn't break face with each other.
The boss criticized him in public, not saving any face for him at all.
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This matter puts me in a difficult position; I have to save face for both sides.
noun
sense of shame; sense of propriety
informalUsed idiomatically to describe a person's tendency to feel shame or embarrassment. '脸皮薄' describes a shy or thin-skinned person, while '脸皮厚' describes a shameless or thick-skinned person.
She's thin-skinned; her face turned red as soon as the teacher mentioned it.
He's really thick-skinned; he still came to ask after being rejected several times.
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In sales, sometimes you can't be too thin-skinned.
How can you be so shameless?