脸 (liǎn)

脸 means face, both literally (the front of the head) and figuratively (social face or dignity in the Chinese cultural sense). It is the most common word for face in everyday spoken Chinese.

Meanings

[noun] Face (the front of the head with eyes, nose, mouth).
[noun] Face; dignity; social reputation (figurative).

Example Sentences

她的脸红了。 Tā de liǎn hóng le. Her face turned red.

你脸上有一点儿东西。 Nǐ liǎn shang yǒu yīdiǎnr dōngxi. There is something on your face.

他不好意思，不敢看我的脸。 Tā bù hǎoyìsi, bù gǎn kàn wǒ de liǎn. He was embarrassed and did not dare to look at my face.

洗脸是每天早上第一件事。 Xǐ liǎn shì měitiān zǎoshang dì yī jiàn shì. Washing your face is the first thing to do every morning.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
洗脸	to wash one's face
脸红	to blush; face turns red
笑脸	smiling face
脸上	on the face
丢脸	to lose face; to be embarrassed

Memory Hook

脸 contains the body radical 月 (flesh) plus 佥 which suggests something encompassing. Your face is the fleshy front surface that everyone sees. In Chinese culture, 脸 also carries the weight of your reputation, so protect it carefully.