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面 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
面miànfaceHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànsideHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànsurfaceHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànaspectHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miàntopHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànclassifier for flat surfaces such as drums, mirrors, flags etcHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miàn>面[miàn]HSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànflourHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànnoodlesHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
面miànface; surface, side; plane, dimensionHSK 2, n, 9 strokes, radical 面, rank #800, Hard
miàn(mian4) T4
  1. 1face
  2. 2side
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
面miàn(mian4)

The character 面 (miàn) primarily means 'face' or 'surface,' referring to the front or exterior aspect of an object. It can also denote 'side' or 'aspect,' and is commonly used in contexts such as describing the surface of items or in expressions related to appearance. Additionally, it is a classifier for flat surfaces like drums and mirrors, highlighting its versatility in usage.

Strokes9Radical面Frequency#800DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子, miànzi) is crucial, referring to one's reputation and social standing. Maintaining face is important in social interactions, influencing behavior and communication.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'face' with two flat sides, like a cube, to remember 面 (miàn). The top of the cube represents the 'surface' and 'aspect' of something, linking directly to its meanings. Visualize a mirror reflecting your face to solidify the concept.

Meanings of 面

miàn(mian4)
1face
2side
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 面

面Simplified
9Strokes
面Radical
后接成分knqv (suff.)Part of Speech
#800Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L2TOCFLL2

Podcast: 面

JasonAmy

Podcast: 面

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AI Study Notes for 面

Quick Contrast

面 (miàn) vs 侧 (cè) — use 面 for 'face' or 'surface' of an object, while 侧 refers specifically to the 'side' or lateral aspect.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'face' with two flat sides, like a cube, to remember 面 (miàn). The top of the cube represents the 'surface' and 'aspect' of something, linking directly to its meanings. Visualize a mirror reflecting your face to solidify the concept.

Usage Notes

面 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but learners should be cautious with its various meanings to avoid ambiguity. Common collocations include phrases like '面子' (miànzi, face or reputation) and '表面' (biǎomiàn, surface). Pay attention to the tone; it is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone).

HSK Study Tips

面 is not included in the HSK levels but is essential for learners to grasp everyday conversations. It connects with other words related to appearance and surfaces, such as 头 (tóu, head) and 方面 (fāngmiàn, aspect). Focus on using it in practical sentences to familiarize yourself.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子, miànzi) is crucial, referring to one's reputation and social standing. Maintaining face is important in social interactions, influencing behavior and communication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 面 with its variant 麵 (miàn), which specifically means 'noodles'. For instance, saying '我想要面' (Wǒ xiǎng yào miàn) could be misunderstood unless clarified that you mean noodles and not just 'face'. Always clarify context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 面

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Etymology of 面

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of the outline of a face, with an eye (目) in the middle. In simplified Chinese 面 is also used to mean "noodles", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 麵.

Memory Hint

A person's face

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 面?

Write 面

面

Practice writing 面 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 面

面 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

超市在学校前____。

The supermarket is in front of the school.

Example Sentences for 面 (15)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我马上给缪顿回信安排会面。

wǒ mǎ shàng gěi móu dùn huí xìn ān pái huì miàn。

I wrote back to Meudon at once to fix up a meeting.
2
我走到镜子前面伸出舌头。

wǒ zǒu dào jìng zǐ qián miàn shēn chū shé tóu。

I walked over to the mirror and stuck my tongue out.
3
面对遭征服的悲惨命运，他们保持了乐观的态度。

miàn duì zāo zhēng fú de bēi cǎn mìng yùn， ， tā mén bǎo chí le lè guān de tài。

They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.
4
目前，30%的爬行动物、鸟类和鱼类面临灭绝的危险。

mù qián，30% ，30% de pá háng dòng、 wù 、 niǎo lèi hé yú lèi miàn lín miè jué de。

30 percent of reptiles, birds, and fish are currently threatened with extinction.
5
三方将在下个月会面，以解决余下的分歧。

sān fāng jiāng zài xià gè yuè huì miàn， ， yǐ jiě jué yú xià de fēn。

The three parties will meet next month to work out remaining differences.
6
外面的空气沉滞、潮湿而闷热。

wài miàn de kōng qì chén zhì、 、 cháo shī ér mèn。

The outside air was heavy and moist and sultry.
7
这种局面所造成的不确定性肯定让你感到困惑。

zhè zhǒng jú miàn suǒ zào chéng de bù què dìng xìng kěn dìng ràng nǐ gǎn dào kùn huò。

The uncertainty created by this situation must be confusing for you.
8
在色拉中加入意大利面条，增加你的纤维摄入量。

zài sè lā zhōng jiā rù yì dà lì miàn tiáo， ， zēng jiā nǐ de xiān wéi shè rù。

Add pasta to your salads to bump up your fibre intake.
9
“上你自己的车，跟在我后面。”他命令道。

“ “ shàng nǐ zì jǐ de， chē ， gēn zài wǒ。” hòu miàn 。” tā。

"Get in your car and follow me," he com-manded.
10
你可以在玻璃后面挂几条织品。

nǐ kě yǐ zài bō lí hòu miàn guà jī tiáo zhī pǐn。

You can hang lengths of fabric behind the glass.
11
他的脸上总是带着微笑。

Tā de liǎn shàng zǒng shì dàizhe wēixiào.

There is always a smile on his face.
12
她用手遮住了自己的脸。

Tā yòng shǒu zhē zhùle zìjǐ de liǎn.

She covered her face with her hand.
13
在寒冷的冬天，他的脸被冻得通红。

Zài hánlěng de dōngtiān, tā de liǎn bèi dòng de tōnghóng.

In the cold winter, his face was frozen red.
14
她的脸色看起来不太好。

Tā de liǎnsè kàn qǐlái bù tài hǎo.

Her face doesn't look very well.
15
她的表情告诉我，她心里有事，但她的脸上没有表现出来。

Tā de biǎoqíng gàosu wǒ, tā xīnlǐ yǒu shì, dàn tā de liǎn shàng méiyǒu biǎoxiàn chūlái.

Her expression told me she had something on her mind, but her face didn't show it.

Cultural Notes for 面

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子, miànzi) is crucial, referring to one's reputation and social standing. Maintaining face is important in social interactions, influencing behavior and communication.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The importance of 'face' in Chinese culture differs significantly from Western cultures, where directness and honesty may be prioritized over the preservation of reputation.

Word Family of 面

Compounds20
缅Mian3distant, remote; to think of
腼mian3modest, bashful
靥ye4dimples
湎mian3drunk, flushed
麺
愐
偭
勔
糆
蝒
喕
奤
媔
緬mian3distant, remote; to think of
蠠
靤
靦mian3modest, bashful
靧
靨
麵mian4face; surface, side; plane, dimension
Words Containing This Character20
方面fāngmiànrespect
里面lǐmiàninside裡面
面miànface
外面wàimiànoutside
上面shàngmiànon top of
面对miànduìto confront面對
后面hòumiànrear後面
下面xiàmiànbelow
全面quánmiànall-around
见面jiànmiànto meet見面
前面qiánmiànahead
面前miànqiánfacing
面积miànjīsurface area面積
面临miànlínto face sth面臨
一面yímiànone side
表面biǎomiànsurface
面包miànbāobread麵包
地面dìmiànfloor
局面júmiànaspect
画面huàmiànscene畫面
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 缅 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 面

Common phrases include '面子' (miànzi, face/reputation) and '表面' (biǎomiàn, surface).