Definition

1. Noun:
   • Outward look; appearance: Refers to the overall impression given by a person's face and bodily form. It encompasses facial features, expression, and general physique.
   • Physiognomy; countenance: Specifically denotes the face's appearance and expression as an indicator of character or mood.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ấy có tướng mạo oai nghiêm. (He has an imposing appearance.)
  • Tướng mạo của người đó trông rất đáng tin. (That person's countenance looks very trustworthy.)
  • Không nên đánh giá người khác chỉ qua tướng mạo. (One should not judge others solely by their outward look.)

Advanced Usage

• In traditional contexts, "tướng mạo" can be associated with the art of physiognomy (xem tướng), the practice of assessing a person's character or fate based on their facial features and appearance.
  • Cụ già rất giỏi về khoa xem tướng mạo. (The old man is very skilled in the art of reading physiognomy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dung mạo (n): Visage, looks; often used interchangeably with "tướng mạo" but can place slightly more emphasis on facial beauty or form.
• Diện mạo (n): Overall appearance or face of something; can be used for both people and abstract concepts like the "face" of a city.
• Vẻ ngoài (n): External appearance; a more general and common term for outward look.

Synonyms

• Appearance: The way that someone or something looks.
• Countenance: A person's face or facial expression.
• Physiognomy: The art of judging character from facial features; a person's face.

Related Idioms

• "Xem tướng mạo": To read someone's face; to practice physiognomy.
  • Ngày xưa, nhiều người tin vào việc xem tướng mạo để đoán vận mệnh. (In the past, many people believed in reading faces to predict destiny.)

noun

1. outward look