Definition

1. Noun:
   • Face; countenance; appearance of one's face: Refers to the physical face or its general look and expression. It often carries connotations of one's dignity, honor, or social standing.
   • Reputation; honor; prestige: An abstract meaning referring to one's social face, dignity, or the respect one commands in the eyes of others.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Face):

  • Sau tai nạn, mặt mũi anh ấy thay đổi nhiều. (After the accident, his face changed a lot.)
  • Cô ấy có mặt mũi ưa nhìn. (She has a pleasant-looking face.)

• Noun (Reputation/Honor):

  • Anh ta làm thế thì còn mặt mũi nào gặp mọi người nữa. (If he does that, how can he have the face to meet people again?)
  • Công việc đó giúp cô ấy giữ được mặt mũi trong gia đình. (That job helps her maintain her dignity within the family.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in contexts where personal honor or social standing is at stake. Losing "mặt mũi" (mất mặt mũi) is akin to losing face or being humiliated.
• It can be used rhetorically in questions to imply shame or a lack of propriety (e.g., "Còn mặt mũi nào mà...?" - "How could one have the face to...?").

Variants and Related Words

• Mặt (n): Face. A more general and common term for the physical face.
• Mặt mày (n): Face; countenance. A synonym with a very similar meaning and usage to "mặt mũi."
• Thể diện (n): Face; prestige. A more formal synonym focusing on social reputation.

Synonyms

• Face: The front part of the head.
• Countenance: The appearance or expression of the face.
• Reputation: The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone.
• Honor: High respect; esteem.
• Prestige: Widespread respect and admiration felt for someone.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Mất mặt mũi: To lose face; to be humiliated or lose one's dignity.
  • Việc bị khiển trách trước đám đông khiến ông ấy mất mặt mũi. (Being reprimanded in front of the crowd made him lose face.)
• Giữ thể diện / giữ mặt mũi: To save face; to maintain one's dignity or reputation.
  • Anh ấy cố gắng giữ mặt mũi trước các đồng nghiệp. (He tried to save face in front of his colleagues.)
• Còn mặt mũi nào: To have the audacity/nerve (used negatively, implying one should be ashamed).
  • Còn mặt mũi nào mà đòi tiền nữa? (How dare you ask for money again?)