Preposition: 当着 (In the Presence of)
介词：当着
Express that an action is performed openly in front of or in the presence of someone
Place 当着 before the person (or group) in whose presence the action occurs. 的面 ("face") is almost always added after the person to complete the phrase. The verb phrase follows.
当着……的面 is a fixed structure. Omitting 的面 is possible but much rarer and sounds literary. The phrase emphasizes openness, directness, or sometimes boldness — the action is not hidden.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Preposition: 当着 (In the Presence of) (介词：当着)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 介词：当着 pattern
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Understanding 介词：当着
当着 is a preposition meaning "in the presence of" or "in front of" (in the sense of witnesses, not physical position). The full structure 当着……的面 emphasizes that an action is performed openly, without concealment, right before someone's eyes. This adds drama, directness, or social weight to the action. When you say 当着大家的面, you stress that everyone was there to see it — there was no hiding. The phrase is commonly used in several contexts: being direct or bold (当着我的面说 — say it to my face), doing something openly and publicly (当着所有人的面宣布 — announce in front of everyone), or doing something inappropriate in front of others (当着孩子的面吵架 — argue in front of the children). The emotional undertone depends on context — it can be confrontational, brave, embarrassing, or simply factual.
Key Points
- 当着……的面 (dāngzhe … de miàn) = "in the presence of / to someone's face."
- 的面 literally means "face" — emphasizing that the action is face-to-face, unhidden.
- Used to stress openness: the action is witnessed, not done secretly.
- Can imply boldness: 当着老板的面说 = having the courage to say it in front of the boss.
- Can imply inappropriateness: 当着客人的面吵架 = arguing in front of guests (socially awkward).
- The person after 当着 can be singular or plural: 当着我的面, 当着大家的面, 当着全校师生的面.
In Chinese culture, "face" (面子) is a fundamental social concept. 当着……的面 directly invokes this — doing something in front of someone's face means there is no deniability. This makes praise more powerful (当着大家的面表扬) and criticism more devastating (当着同事的面批评).
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
当着我的面，你有什么想说的就都说出来吧。
Say whatever you want to say right to my face.
Demanding directness
我当着大家的面把礼物拆开了。
I opened the gift in front of everyone.
他当着老师的面承认了自己的错误。
He admitted his mistake in front of the teacher.
请不要当着孩子的面吵架。
Please do not argue in front of the children.
Implying inappropriateness
她当着全公司的面发表了感言。
She delivered a speech in front of the entire company.
当着这么多人的面，我不好意思唱歌。
I am too embarrassed to sing in front of so many people.
他当着我的面撕了那封信。
He tore up that letter right in front of me.
Dramatic, confrontational
Common Mistakes
The 的面 part is essential in standard usage. 当着 + person + 的面 is the complete structure. Dropping 的面 sounds incomplete.
当着 means "in the presence of (a person)," not "in front of (an object)." For physical position in front of a door, use 在门前.
Use 的面 not 的面前. Adding 前 is redundant because 当着……的面 already means "in front of."
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Always include 的面 after the person — 当着他的面, 当着大家的面. It is almost never dropped.
The opposite of 当着……的面 is 背着……: 背着我做了这件事 (did this behind my back).
Use 当着 to add social drama: 当着全班的面被表扬 (praised in front of the whole class) hits harder than just 被表扬.
Remember: 当着 is about witnesses (people), not location. Do not use it for physical positions — use 在……前面 instead.
Homework
Write four sentences: two where 当着……的面 emphasizes boldness or courage, and two where it highlights social awkwardness or inappropriateness.