Definition

1. Noun:
   • Face; honor; prestige: The social standing, dignity, or reputation one wishes to maintain in the eyes of others. It refers to the external image or appearance of respectability that is important in social interactions.
   • Vanity; concern for appearances: An excessive or sensitive regard for one's social image, often leading to actions meant to impress others or conceal shortcomings.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ấy từ chối việc đó vì sĩ diện. (He refused that job because of his pride/face.)
  • Cô ấy rất quan tâm đến sĩ diện gia đình. (She is very concerned about the family's honor/prestige.)
  • Đừng vì sĩ diện mà mua chiếc xe đắt tiền. (Don't buy an expensive car just for the sake of appearances/vanity.)

Advanced Usage

• "giữ sĩ diện": to save face; to maintain one's dignity or social image.

  • Ông ấy phải giữ sĩ diện trước đám đông. (He had to save face in front of the crowd.)

• "vì sĩ diện": for the sake of one's image/pride; out of vanity.

  • Họ sống vượt quá khả năng chỉ vì sĩ diện. (They live beyond their means just for the sake of appearances.)

Variants and Related Words

• Danh dự (n): honor, dignity. (Often a more positive synonym for the respectable aspect of "sĩ diện".)
• Thể diện (n): face, prestige. (A close synonym, frequently used interchangeably.)
• Hão danh (n): vainglory, empty fame. (Refers to a more hollow pursuit of reputation.)

Synonyms

• Prestige: widespread respect and admiration based on achievements.
• Vanity: excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.
• Honor: high respect; esteem.
• Appearances: the way someone or something looks to others.

Related Idioms

• Giấu dốt vì sĩ diện: to hide one's ignorance out of vanity/pride.

  • Anh ta không dám hỏi, giấu dốt vì sĩ diện. (He didn't dare to ask, hiding his ignorance to save face.)

• Sĩ diện hão: false pride; empty vanity.

  • Đó chỉ là thứ sĩ diện hão, đừng để tâm. (That's just false pride, don't pay attention to it.)

noun

1. face