面

miàn

face; surface; plane; side; dimension

Meaning

The physical face or countenance, including emotional expression and state.
A flat area: the exterior surface of an object, a specific facet, or a geometric plane.
Presence or audience, particularly in formal or political contexts (e.g., being "before the face" of a superior).

Grammar and usage

Spatial/Locative Marker: Indicates orientation ("facing," "towards," or "in front of"), defining the axis between two entities.
Classifier: Used for flat objects (e.g., mirrors, cloth, documents) and instances of face-to-face encounters.

Distinctions

Contrast with 臉 (liǎn): In archaic texts, 面 is the standard term; 臉 is a later development, often more colloquial or strictly anatomical.

History and forms

Variants: U+9762, U+9EB5.

Translator notes

When referring to the face in personal contexts, consider if "countenance" (emotional state) is more appropriate than a physical description.
Distinguish between the primary front and lateral sides based on context when translating as "surface."

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.