Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To save (someone's) face, to pay due consideration to (someone's) face: The act of behaving respectfully or considerately towards someone, especially in a social context, in order to preserve their dignity, honor, or social standing. It implies an action done to show respect for the person or their position, often to avoid causing them embarrassment or loss of prestige.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Anh ấy rất khéo ăn nói, biết cách mua mặt cho sếp trong các cuộc họp. (He is very tactful and knows how to save face for his boss in meetings.)
  • Trong buổi tiệc, cô ấy cố gắng mua mặt cho chồng bằng cách khen ngợi anh ấy trước mặt bạn bè. (At the party, she tried to pay due consideration to her husband's face by praising him in front of friends.)

Advanced Usage

• "mua mặt cho ai đó": to save face for someone, to pay consideration to someone's face.
  • Là một trợ lý, nhiệm vụ của anh ta không chỉ là công việc mà còn phải biết mua mặt cho cấp trên. (As an assistant, his duty is not only work but also knowing how to save face for his superiors.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giữ thể diện (verb phrase): to maintain face, to preserve dignity. This is a close synonym focusing on the act of preserving one's own or another's social standing.
  • Anh ta từ chối lời giúp đỡ để giữ thể diện. (He refused the help to maintain his face.)
• Mất mặt (verb phrase): to lose face, to be embarrassed or humiliated. This is the direct antonym.
  • Sai lầm đó khiến ông ấy mất mặt trước toàn công ty. (That mistake made him lose face in front of the whole company.)

Synonyms

• Tôn trọng (verb): to respect. While broader, it can overlap in contexts where showing respect helps maintain someone's dignity.
• Nể nang (verb): to have consideration for, to regard with respect. Often used in social interactions to show deference.

Related Phrases

• Cho mặt (verb phrase): to give face, to show respect or honor to someone. This is a related concept where respect is actively given.
  • Ông chủ tới dự đám cưới là cho mặt gia đình tôi rồi. (The boss attending the wedding is already giving face to my family.)

Related Idioms

• Một mặt một con (idiom): This idiom, literally "one face one child," emphasizes the unique value of an individual's dignity and reputation. It relates to the high importance placed on "face" or social standing.
  • Anh phải cẩn thận, chuyện này liên quan đến một mặt một con của họ. (You must be careful; this matter concerns their singular face and honor.)

1. Save (someone's) face, pay due consideration to (someone's) face
   • Ân cần chào hỏi khách của bạn mua mặt cho bạn
     To greet with considerateness the guests of one's friend to pay (in consideration to his face)