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脸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
脸liǎnfaceHSK 3, n, 11 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #636, Medium
脸liǎn>张[zhāng],個HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #636, Medium
脸liǎn>个[gè]HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #636, Medium
脸liǎnface, cheek; reputationHSK 3, n, 11 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #636, Medium
liǎn(lian3) T3
  1. 1face
  2. 2>张[zhāng],個
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March 24, 2026
脸(臉)liǎn(lian3)

脸 (liǎn) refers to the face, which is a key feature of human anatomy and often used in both literal and figurative contexts. It can denote not just the physical face, but also aspects like reputation or social standing, as in expressions about 'saving face'. In daily conversation, it is commonly paired with verbs like 'wash' (洗脸) or adjectives describing appearance.

Strokes11Radical⺼Frequency#636DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子) is significant, often linked to social status and respect. Losing face can have serious implications in social interactions, making this term especially relevant in both personal and professional contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big, round face that resembles a 'lantern' when lit up, reminding you of the character '脸'. The '月' (moon) radical signifies the face's roundness and softness, while the '目' (eye) hints at the eyes on the face, making it easier to remember the pronunciation 'liǎn'.

Meanings of 脸

liǎn(lian3)
1face
2face, cheek; reputation
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 脸

脸Simplified
臉Traditional
11Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#636Frequency Rank
张Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 脸

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Podcast: 脸

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 脸

Quick Contrast

脸 (liǎn) vs 面 (miàn) — use 脸 when specifically referring to the human face, while 面 can refer to the surface or aspect of something, not limited to the human face.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a big, round face that resembles a 'lantern' when lit up, reminding you of the character '脸'. The '月' (moon) radical signifies the face's roundness and softness, while the '目' (eye) hints at the eyes on the face, making it easier to remember the pronunciation 'liǎn'.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the tone when pronouncing '脸' as it is pronounced with a third tone (liǎn). This character is often used in informal contexts, but can also appear in discussions about reputation (e.g., 面子). Common collocations include '洗脸' (to wash one's face) and '丢脸' (to lose face).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 3 word, '脸' connects well with other vocabulary related to body parts (like '手' for hand) and emotions (like '开心' for happy). Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe physical appearance and feelings about reputation.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子) is significant, often linked to social status and respect. Losing face can have serious implications in social interactions, making this term especially relevant in both personal and professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '脸' with '面' (face) in certain contexts. For example, saying '我丢面' instead of '我丢脸' (I lose face) is incorrect; '面' is less commonly used to refer to a person's face in this idiomatic sense.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 脸

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Etymology of 脸

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. ⺼ represents the meaning and 佥 represents the sound. Simplified form of 臉.

Memory Hint

flesh

Semantic (meaning)⺼
+
Phonetic (sound)佥
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 脸?

Decomposition of 脸

IDS Structure⿰⺼佥
脸Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
佥qian1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 脸?

Write 脸

脸

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

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Grammar Patterns of 脸

脸 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 4 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

他一起床就去洗____。

As soon as he gets up, he goes to wash his face.

Common Confusions with 脸

脸vs练
liàn

Same pinyin but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "face"?

or

Example Sentences for 脸 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我一生中从未感到如此丢脸。

wǒ yī shēng zhōng cóng wèi gǎn dào rú cǐ diū liǎn。

I have never felt so humiliated in my life.
2
她转身望着我，脸上带着期待的表情。

tā zhuǎn shēn wàng zháo wǒ， ， liǎn shàng dài zháo qī dài de biǎo。

She turned to me with an expectant look on her face.
3
你常出汗或是脸上常发烫吗？

nǐ cháng chū hàn huò shì liǎn shàng cháng fā tàng ma？

Do you sweat a lot or flush a lot?
4
将胭脂调匀涂在你脸颊红润的地方。

jiāng yān zhī tiáo yún tú zài nǐ liǎn jiá hóng rùn de dì fāng。

Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
5
要当校长，你就得脸皮厚一些。

yào dāng xiào cháng， ， nǐ jiù dé liǎn pí hòu yī。

You need a thick skin to be a headmaster.
6
他们下面是无数张仰望的脸。

tā mén xià miàn shì wú shù zhāng yǎng wàng de liǎn。

Down below them was the sea of upturned faces.
7
你脸上的淤伤是怎么搞的？

nǐ liǎn shàng de yū shāng shì zěn mó gǎo de？

How did you get that bruise on your cheek?
8
她意识到自己做了什么后羞红了脸。

tā yì shí dào zì jǐ zuò le shí mó hòu xiū hóng le liǎn。

She turned scarlet from embarrassment, once she realized what she had done.
9
艾伦的脸皱了起来，好像要打喷嚏。

ài lún de liǎn zhòu le qǐ lái， ， hǎo xiàng yào dǎ pēn。

Ellen's face wrinkles as if she is about to sneeze.
10
这件事如此丢脸，深深地挫伤了我的自尊心。

zhè jiàn shì rú cǐ diū liǎn， ， shēn shēn dì cuò shāng le wǒ de zì zūn。

It was so humiliating, a terrible blow to my self-esteem.

Cultural Notes for 脸

💡Did you know?

在中国文化中，脸面（面子）非常重要。人们常常重视自己的名声和他人的看法。失去面子被视为一种羞辱，因此在社交场合中，人们会尽量避免让别人感到尴尬或失面子。

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 'face' (面子) is significant, often linked to social status and respect. Losing face can have serious implications in social interactions, making this term especially relevant in both personal and professional contexts.

Word Family of 脸

Words Containing This Character20
脸liǎnface臉
脸色liǎnsèlook臉色
丢脸diūliǎnto lose face丟臉
脸部face臉部
笑脸xiàoliǎnsmiling face笑臉
脸蛋cheek臉蛋
满脸across one's whole face滿臉
不要脸shameless不要臉
脸红to blush臉紅
脸颊liǎnjiácheek臉頰
洗脸to wash your face洗臉
脸庞face臉龐
脸孔face臉孔
翻脸to fall out with sb翻臉
鬼脸wry face鬼臉
脸皮face臉皮
嘴脸look嘴臉
变脸to turn hostile suddenly變臉
脸面face臉面
露脸to show one's face露臉
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 脸 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 脸

Common phrases that include 脸 (liǎn) are '脸色' (liǎnsè), meaning 'complexion' or 'facial expression,' and '脸皮厚' (liǎn pí hòu), which means 'thick-skinned' or 'shameless.' These phrases demonstrate how the character is used in everyday language.