Definition

1. Noun:
   • Facial expression; look; countenance: The overall appearance of a person's face that reveals their thoughts, feelings, or mood. It refers to the combination of features and their arrangement that conveys an inner state.
   • Features (of the face): The distinct lines, contours, and characteristics that make up a person's face, often considered in terms of their aesthetic quality.

Usage Examples

• As "facial expression":

  • Trông nét mặt anh ta rất buồn. (He has got a very sad expression; He looks very sad.)
  • Cô ấy có nét mặt lo lắng khi chờ kết quả. (She had a worried look on her face while waiting for the results.)
  • Đừng giữ nét mặt nghiêm trọng như vậy! (Don't keep such a serious expression!)

• As "features":

  • Người có nét mặt đẹp. (A person of handsome features.)
  • Anh ấy có nét mặt góc cạnh và nam tính. (He has sharp and masculine features.)

Advanced Usage

• "nét mặt tươi cười": a smiling face; a cheerful expression.

  • Dù mệt nhưng cô ấy vẫn giữ nét mặt tươi cười. (Even though she was tired, she still maintained a cheerful expression.)

• "nét mặt khó đọc" / "nét mặt khó hiểu": an inscrutable/poker face; an unreadable expression.

  • Ông ấy ngồi im với nét mặt khó đọc. (He sat silently with an unreadable expression.)

• "nét mặt đăm chiêu": a pensive/preoccupied look.

  • Nhìn nét mặt đăm chiêu của anh, có chuyện gì vậy? (Looking at your pensive expression, what's the matter?)

Variants and Related Words

• Vẻ mặt (n): A very close synonym for "nét mặt" when referring to facial expression. It can sometimes imply a more temporary or immediate look.

  • Vẻ mặt cô ấy sáng lên khi thấy con. (Her face lit up when she saw her child.)

• Thần thái (n): Demeanor; aura; the overall spirit and expression conveyed by the face and posture, broader than just the face.

  • Cô người mẫu ấy có thần thái rất cuốn hút. (That model has a very captivating demeanor.)

• Biểu cảm (n): Expression (often used in the context of arts or performance). It is a more general term for expression, not limited to the face.

  • Diễn viên phải thể hiện biểu cảm thật tự nhiên. (Actors must portray expressions very naturally.)

Synonyms

• Facial expression: Biểu hiện trên khuôn mặt.
• Look: Vẻ, dáng vẻ.
• Countenance (formal): Vẻ mặt, diện mạo.
• Features: Đường nét, đặc điểm (trên khuôn mặt).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Nét mặt như đưa đám": To have a face as if attending a funeral; to have a very sad or solemn expression.

  • Sao cả ngày hôm nay cậu lại có nét mặt như đưa đám thế? (Why have you had such a solemn expression all day today?)

• "Lộ rõ nét mặt": To clearly show one's expression (often a true feeling).

  • Nghe tin đó, sự thất vọng lộ rõ nét mặt cô ấy. (Hearing that news, disappointment was clearly visible on her face.)

1. Face's expression
   • Trông nét mặt anh ta rất buồn
     He has got a very sad expression; there is an expression of great sadness on his face; he looks very sad
2. Features
   • Người có nét mặt đẹp
     A person of handsome features