danh diện
Definition
- Noun:
- Face / prestige / honor: The social standing, reputation, or dignity of a person, family, or group within a community. It refers to the respect one commands and the need to maintain or protect one's public image and social status.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Việc đó làm tổn hại đến danh diện của gia đình. (That action damages the family's honor.)
- Ông ấy rất coi trọng danh diện của mình. (He values his prestige greatly.)
- Họ sẵn sàng làm mọi thứ để bảo vệ danh diện. (They are ready to do anything to protect their face.)
Advanced Usage
- The concept of "danh diện" is deeply cultural, often tied to Confucian values of social harmony, respect, and one's role in the family and community. Losing "danh diện" can result in a significant loss of social credibility and influence.
Variants and Related Words
Thể diện (n): face, social image; often used similarly to "danh diện" but can sometimes imply a more superficial or outward appearance of status.
- Anh ấy làm thế chỉ vì thể diện. (He did that just for the sake of face.)
Uy tín (n): prestige, credit, reputation; focuses more on earned trust and authority, often in professional contexts.
- Công ty có uy tín lớn trên thị trường. (The company has great prestige in the market.)
Synonyms
- Prestige: Widespread respect and admiration based on achievements or quality.
- Honor: High respect, esteem, or adherence to what is right.
- Face: Social standing, dignity, or reputation (especially in an East Asian cultural context).
- Reputation: The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.
Related Idioms
Mất mặt / Mất danh diện: To lose face; to be humiliated or suffer a loss of respect.
- Bị khiển trách trước đám đông khiến anh ta mất danh diện. (Being reprimanded in front of the crowd made him lose face.)
Giữ thể diện / giữ danh diện: To save face; to avoid humiliation and preserve one's dignity.
- Họ tìm cách giữ danh diện trong tình huống khó xử. (They found a way to save face in the awkward situation.)