Definition

1. Noun:
   • A square-shaped face: "chữ điền" describes a face shape that is nearly square or rectangular, often considered a sign of good fortune or strong character in Vietnamese physiognomy.
   • The Chinese character 田 (tián): Literally meaning "field," this character is square in shape, which is the origin of the term "chữ điền" when describing facial structure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy có khuôn mặt chữ điền. (He has a square-shaped face.)
  • Người ta nói đàn ông mặt chữ điền thường có tính cách mạnh mẽ. (People say men with square faces often have strong personalities.)

Advanced Usage

• "mặt vuông chữ điền": A face that is square like the character "田".
  • Ông ấy có gương mặt vuông chữ điền rất đặc trưng. (He has a very distinctive square face.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mặt vuông (n): Square face. A more direct, less idiomatic synonym.
• Chữ điền phương (n): A more formal or descriptive term emphasizing the squareness.

Synonyms

• Khuôn mặt vuông vức: A squarely-proportioned face.
• Mặt hình chữ nhật: Rectangular-shaped face (can be similar but implies a longer shape).

Notes on Meaning

• This term is specific to Vietnamese and originates from the shape of the Chinese character 田 (tián), which means "field" and is perfectly square. It is almost exclusively used in the context of physiognomy (nhân tướng học) to describe a person's facial structure. It carries a connotation of stability, honesty, and sometimes authority, and is traditionally viewed as a favorable facial feature, especially for men.

1. mặt chữ điền A square face