too embarrassed; cannot save face
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to feel too embarrassed (to do something); to find it difficult (to refuse) due to concern for face
informalOften used when someone wants to refuse a request or criticize someone but feels it would be impolite or embarrassing to do so. Interchangeable with '磨不开'.
Tā他
dì第
yī一
cì次
qiú求
rén人
，
jué觉
de得
yǒu有
diǎn点
er儿
mò抹
bu不
kāi开
miàn面
zi子
。
It was his first time asking someone for a favor, and he felt a bit too embarrassed.
Suī虽
rán然
míng明
zhī知
tā他
zài在
shuō说
huǎng谎
，
dàn但
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
bù不
hǎo好
yì意
si思
mò抹
kāi开
qíng情
miàn面
zhí直
jiē接
jiē揭
chuān穿
tā他
。
Although everyone knew he was lying, no one wanted to embarrass him by exposing him directly.
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Nǐ你
yě也
bié别
mò抹
bu不
kāi开
，
gāi该
pī批
píng评
jiù就
děi得
pī批
píng评
。
Don't be too embarrassed; if criticism is needed, then criticize.
verb
to be unable to get away; to be tied up (with work or affairs)
neutralLess common than the 'embarrassed' meaning. Often used when someone is too busy to attend to something else.
Zhè这
jǐ几
tiān天
gōng工
zuò作
tài太
máng忙
，
shí实
zài在
mò抹
bu不
kāi开
shēn身
qù去
cān参
jiā加
jù聚
huì会
。
I've been too busy with work these past few days and really can't get away to attend the gathering.
Tā他
bèi被
jiā家
wù务
shì事
mò抹
bu不
kāi开
，
méi没
fǎ法
chū出
chāi差
。
He's tied up with household affairs and cannot go on a business trip.