Word

面 (miàn) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 2

Meaning of 面

动 dòng verb

to face

这座建筑面海。

zhè zuò jiàn zhù miàn hǎi

This building faces the sea.

名 míng noun

face

她的面上带着微笑。

tā de miàn shàng dài zhe wēi xiào

She has a smile on her face.

量 liàng measure word

[mw] for flat objects (flags, mirrors, walls)

墙上挂着一面镜子。

qiáng shàng guà zhe yī miàn jìng zi

A mirror is hanging on the wall.

Word breakdown

面 miàn — to face

1 面包 miàn bāo — bread HSK 1
- 面 flour, wheat flour
- 包 wrap, bun, package
Example

我每天早上吃面包。

wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang chī miàn bāo

I eat bread every morning.
2 面条儿 miàn tiáo r — noodles HSK 1
- 面 flour/wheat, forms the base meaning of noodles
- 条 strip/strand, indicates the long thin shape of noodles
- 儿 diminutive suffix (erhua), adds colloquial/Beijing dialect flavor
Example

妈妈做了一碗热腾腾的面条儿。

mā ma zuò le yī wǎn rè téng téng de miàn tiáo r

Mom made a bowl of steaming hot noodles.
3 上面 shàng miàn — above; on top HSK 2
- 上 up; upper; above
- 面 surface; side
Example

书在桌子上面。

shū zài zhuō zi shàng miàn

The book is on the table.
4 下面 xià miàn — below HSK 2
- 下 down, lower position
- 面 side, surface, area
Example

书在桌子下面。

shū zài zhuō zi xià miàn

The book is under the table.
5 前面 qián miàn — front HSK 2
- 前 front, forward
- 面 side, area
Example

前面有一家书店。

qián miàn yǒu yī jiā shū diàn

There's a bookstore ahead.

Show more (+51)

6 后面 hòu miàn — behind HSK 2
- 后 back, behind (spatial position)
- 面 side, surface, area
Example

房子后面有一个花园。

fáng zi hòu miàn yǒu yí gè huā yuán

There is a garden behind the house.
7 外面 wài miàn — outside HSK 2
- 外 outside, external
- 面 side, surface
Example

外面下雨了。

wài miàn xià yǔ le

It's raining outside.
8 里面 lǐ miàn — inside HSK 2
- 里 inside, interior
- 面 side, aspect (localizer suffix)
Example

书在桌子里面。

shū zài zhuō zi lǐ miàn

The book is inside the desk.
9 方便面 fāng biàn miàn — instant noodles HSK 3
- 方 method, way (part of 'convenient')
- 便 convenient, easy
- 面 noodles
Example

他经常在宿舍煮方便面。

tā jīng cháng zài sù shè zhǔ fāng biàn miàn

He often cooks instant noodles in the dormitory.
10 见面 jiàn miàn — to meet HSK 3
- 见 to see
- 面 face
Example

我们明天见面吧。

wǒ men míng tiān jiàn miàn ba

Let's meet tomorrow.
11 面前 miàn qián — in front of HSK 3
- 面 face, surface
- 前 front, ahead
Example

不要在老师面前说谎。

bù yào zài lǎo shī miàn qián shuō huǎng

Don't lie in front of the teacher.
12 对面 duì miàn — opposite side HSK 4
- 对 facing, opposite
- 面 side, surface
Example

银行在马路对面。

yín háng zài mǎ lù duì miàn

The bank is across the street.
13 方面 fāng miàn — aspect HSK 4
- 方 direction, side
- 面 surface, side
Example

在这方面他很有经验。

zài zhè fāng miàn tā hěn yǒu jīng yàn

In this aspect, he has a lot of experience.
14 面对 miàn duì — to face HSK 4
- 面 face (the front part; to turn toward)
- 对 toward, to (indicating direction or target)
Example

我们必须面对现实。

wǒ men bì xū miàn duì xiàn shí

We must face reality.
15 面试 miàn shì — interview HSK 4
- 面 face-to-face, in person
- 试 test, examination
Example

我明天要去面试。

wǒ míng tiān yào qù miàn shì

I have an interview tomorrow.
16 全面 quán miàn — comprehensive HSK 5
- 全 complete, entire, whole
- 面 aspect, side, dimension
Example

我们需要进行全面的调查。

wǒ men xū yào jìn xíng quán miàn de diào chá

We need to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
17 地面 dì miàn — ground, floor HSK 5
- 地 earth, ground, land
- 面 surface, face
Example

地面很湿，小心滑倒。

dì miàn hěn shī xiǎo xīn huá dǎo

The ground is wet, be careful not to slip.
18 画面 huà miàn — picture; scene; screen; image HSK 5
- 画 picture; visual representation
- 面 surface; display area; aspect
Example

这个游戏的画面质量非常高。

zhè ge yóu xì de huà miàn zhì liàng fēi cháng gāo

This game's graphics quality is very high.
19 表面 biǎo miàn — surface HSK 5
- 表 exterior, outer, visible part
- 面 surface, face, plane
Example

这张桌子的表面很光滑。

zhè zhāng zhuō zi de biǎo miàn hěn guāng huá

The surface of this table is very smooth.
20 面临 miàn lín — to face HSK 5
- 面 face (verb), directly confront
- 临 approach, arrive at (a situation)
Example

我们面临着巨大的挑战。

wǒ men miàn lín zhe jù dà de tiǎo zhàn

We face enormous challenges.
21 面向 miàn xiàng — to face, to be oriented toward HSK 5
- 面 face, the side that faces
- 向 toward, in the direction of
Example

这个项目面向全球市场。

zhè ge xiàng mù miàn xiàng quán qiú shì chǎng

This project is oriented toward the global market.
22 面积 miàn jī — area HSK 5
- 面 surface, face
- 积 accumulated measurement, extent
Example

这个房间的面积是20平方米。

zhè ge fáng jiān de miàn jī shì èr shí píng fāng mǐ

The area of this room is 20 square meters.
23 书面 shū miàn — written HSK 6
- 书 writing, written text
- 面 form, surface, aspect
Example

我需要一份书面报告。

wǒ xū yào yī fèn shū miàn bào gào

I need a written report.
24 场面 chǎng miàn — scene HSK 6
- 场 venue, setting, place where something occurs
- 面 appearance, aspect, surface presentation
Example

婚礼的场面很隆重。

hūn lǐ de chǎng miàn hěn lóng zhòng

The wedding scene was very grand.
25 局面 jú miàn — situation HSK 6
- 局 situation, phase (of affairs)
- 面 aspect, surface appearance
Example

我们必须改变目前的局面。

wǒ men bì xū gǎi biàn mù qián de jú miàn

We must change the current situation.
26 层面 céng miàn — level; aspect HSK 6
- 层 level; layer (indicating hierarchical stratification)
- 面 aspect; plane (indicating a particular perspective or dimension)
Example

我们需要从不同层面来分析这个问题。

wǒ men xū yào cóng bù tóng céng miàn lái fēn xī zhè ge wèn tí

We need to analyze this problem from different levels.
27 当面 dāng miàn — face to face, in person, to one's face HSK 6
- 当 facing, in the presence of
- 面 face
Example

有什么话就当面说。

yǒu shén me huà jiù dāng miàn shuō

If you have something to say, say it to my face.
28 方方面面 fāng fāng miàn miàn — every aspect HSK 6
- 方 side, direction, aspect
- 方 reduplication for emphasis on plurality
- 面 face, surface, aspect, dimension
- 面 reduplication for emphasis on comprehensiveness
Example

我们要考虑这个问题的方方面面。

wǒ men yào kǎo lǜ zhè ge wèn tí de fāng fāng miàn miàn

We need to consider every aspect of this problem.
29 正面 zhèng miàn — front HSK 6
- 正 proper, correct, positive
- 面 face, side, aspect
Example

请看这枚硬币的正面。

qǐng kàn zhè méi yìng bì de zhèng miàn

Please look at the front of this coin.
30 水面 shuǐ miàn — water surface HSK 6
- 水 water
- 面 surface
Example

月光反射在平静的水面上。

yuè guāng fǎn shè zài píng jìng de shuǐ miàn shàng

Moonlight reflects on the calm water surface.
31 海面 hǎi miàn — sea surface HSK 6
- 海 sea, ocean
- 面 surface
Example

阳光照在平静的海面上。

yáng guāng zhào zài píng jìng de hǎi miàn shàng

Sunlight shines on the calm sea surface.
32 片面 piàn miàn — one-sided, partial HSK 6
- 片 piece, fragment; partial
- 面 side, surface, aspect
Example

我们不能片面地看待问题。

wǒ men bù néng piàn miàn de kàn dài wèn tí

We cannot view problems in a one-sided way.
33 负面 fù miàn — negative HSK 6
- 负 negative, minus
- 面 side, aspect
Example

这件事对他产生了负面影响。

zhè jiàn shì duì tā chǎn shēng le fù miàn yǐng xiǎng

This matter had a negative impact on him.
34 路面 lù miàn — road surface HSK 6
- 路 road
- 面 surface
Example

雨后路面很滑，开车要小心。

yǔ hòu lù miàn hěn huá kāi chē yào xiǎo xīn

After rain, the road surface is very slippery, so drive carefully.
35 面子 miàn zi — face (social reputation/prestige) HSK 6
- 面 face (provides the core concept of social face/reputation)
- 子 suffix (nominalizes and makes the word colloquial)
Example

为了面子，他借钱买了辆新车。

wèi le miàn zi tā jiè qián mǎi le liàng xīn chē

For the sake of face, he borrowed money to buy a new car.
36 面粉 miàn fěn — flour HSK 6
- 面 wheat, grain-based
- 粉 powder, fine particles
Example

我需要一些面粉做面包。

wǒ xū yào yī xiē miàn fěn zuò miàn bāo

I need some flour to make bread.
37 面部 miàn bù — face HSK 6
- 面 face, facial surface
- 部 part, region, area
Example

她的面部表情很丰富。

tā de miàn bù biǎo qíng hěn fēng fù

Her facial expressions are very rich.
38 一面 yí miàn — one side HSK 7
- 一 one (forms adverbial construction)
- 面 side, aspect
Example

他只展示了事情的一面。

tā zhǐ zhǎn shì le shì qing de yí miàn

He only showed one side of the matter.
39 会面 huì miàn — to meet with HSK 7
- 会 to meet, to gather
- 面 face-to-face, in person
Example

我们下周会面讨论合作事宜。

wǒ men xià zhōu huì miàn tǎo lùn hé zuò shì yí

We will meet next week to discuss cooperation matters.
40 体面 tǐ miàn — dignity; face; respectability HSK 7
- 体 bearing, propriety, proper form
- 面 face, outward appearance, reputation
Example

他很注重自己的体面。

tā hěn zhù zhòng zì jǐ de tǐ miàn

He pays great attention to his dignity.
41 侧面 cè miàn — side HSK 7
- 侧 lateral, sideways
- 面 surface, side
Example

这座建筑的侧面很美。

zhè zuò jiàn zhù de cè miàn hěn měi

The side of this building is very beautiful.
42 出面 chū miàn — to come forward; to step in HSK 7
- 出 to come out, to step out
- 面 face, to show one's face publicly
Example

他出面调解双方的矛盾。

tā chū miàn tiáo jiě shuāng fāng de máo dùn

He came forward to mediate the conflict between both parties.
43 单方面 dān fāng miàn — unilateral HSK 7
- 单 single, alone, one
- 方 side, party
- 面 aspect, dimension
Example

他单方面决定取消合同。

tā dān fāng miàn jué dìng qǔ xiāo hé tong

He unilaterally decided to cancel the contract.
44 反面 fǎn miàn — reverse side; opposite side; negative aspect HSK 7
- 反 opposite; reverse; contrary
- 面 side; surface; aspect
Example

每件事都有正面和反面。

měi jiàn shì dōu yǒu zhèng miàn hé fǎn miàn

Every matter has a positive side and a negative side.
45 四面八方 sì miàn bā fāng — from all directions HSK 7
- 四 four (representing the four cardinal directions)
- 面 side/face (referring to sides or surfaces)
- 八 eight (representing the eight directions)
- 方 direction/side (referring to directions or areas)
Example

人们从四面八方赶来参加庆祝活动。

rén men cóng sì miàn bā fāng gǎn lái cān jiā qìng zhù huó dòng

People came from all directions to participate in the celebration.
46 封面 fēng miàn — cover HSK 7
- 封 sealing, enclosing (the protective outer layer)
- 面 surface, face (the outer side)
Example

这本书的封面很漂亮。

zhè běn shū de fēng miàn hěn piào liang

This book's cover is very beautiful.
47 平面 píng miàn — plane HSK 7
- 平 flat, level
- 面 surface, face
Example

几何学研究点、线、平面的关系。

jǐ hé xué yán jiū diǎn xiàn píng miàn de guān xi

Geometry studies the relationships between points, lines, and planes.
48 扑面而来 pū miàn ér lái — come rushing at one; blow in one's face HSK 7
- 扑 rush toward; pounce
- 面 face; surface
- 而 and (connective particle)
- 来 come (toward the speaker)
Example

打开门，海风扑面而来。

dǎ kāi mén hǎi fēng pū miàn ér lái

Opening the door, the sea breeze blew in my face.
49 背面 bèi miàn — back side HSK 7
- 背 back
- 面 side, surface
Example

请看一下这张纸的背面。

qǐng kàn yī xià zhè zhāng zhǐ de bèi miàn

Please take a look at the back side of this paper.
50 迎面 yíng miàn — head-on HSK 7
- 迎 to meet, to face, to move toward
- 面 face, the front or surface directly opposite
Example

一阵冷风迎面吹来。

yí zhèn lěng fēng yíng miàn chuī lái

A gust of cold wind blew head-on.
51 露面 lòu miàn — to make an appearance HSK 7
- 露 to show, to reveal, to expose
- 面 face
Example

她终于在派对上露面了。

tā zhōng yú zài pài duì shàng lòu miàn le

She finally made an appearance at the party.
52 面孔 miàn kǒng — face HSK 7
- 面 face, surface
- 孔 opening, features (facial features)
Example

她有一张熟悉的面孔。

tā yǒu yì zhāng shú xī de miàn kǒng

She has a familiar face.
53 面目全非 miàn mù quán fēi — completely changed beyond recognition HSK 7
- 面 face, outward appearance
- 目 eye, visual appearance
- 全 completely, entirely
- 非 not, different from original state
Example

地震之后，整个村庄面目全非。

dì zhèn zhī hòu zhěng gè cūn zhuāng miàn mù quán fēi

After the earthquake, the entire village was completely changed beyond recognition.
54 面红耳赤 miàn hóng ěr chì — red in the face HSK 7
- 面 face
- 红 red
- 耳 ears
- 赤 crimson/deep red
Example

他们争论得面红耳赤。

tā men zhēng lùn de miàn hóng ěr chì

They argued until they were red in the face.
55 面貌 miàn mào — appearance, look HSK 7
- 面 face, surface, outward aspect
- 貌 appearance, looks, features
Example

这座城市的面貌焕然一新。

zhè zuò chéng shì de miàn mào huàn rán yī xīn

The city's appearance is completely new.
56 面面俱到 miàn miàn jù dào — thorough in every aspect HSK 7
- 面 aspect, side (first of repeated pair)
- 面 aspect, side (repetition emphasizing 'every')
- 俱 all, entirely, completely
- 到 to reach, to attend to, to achieve
Example

他做事很仔细，总是面面俱到。

tā zuò shì hěn zǐ xì zǒng shì miàn miàn jù dào

He does things very carefully, always thorough in every aspect.

Structure & writing

1 面 miàn — face; the front of the head

面 is a component in 2 characters

HSK 7

缅 miǎn distant; far away 腼 miǎn shy and awkward; see 腼腆

面 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

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Meaning of 面

面 miàn — to face