Definitions

1. Noun:
   • Head and face: The literal meaning referring to the physical head and face of a person.
   • Important person, prominent figure: A figurative term used to refer to a person of high status, influence, or importance within a family, organization, or community. It implies someone who represents the group and holds a leading or respectable position.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):
  • Anh ấy bị thương ở đầu mặt. (He was injured in the head and face.)
• Noun (Figurative):
  • Ông ấy là đầu mặt của dòng họ. (He is the prominent figure/leading person of the clan.)
  • Công ty cần có những đầu mặt giỏi để dẫn dắt. (The company needs capable leaders to guide it.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal or semi-formal contexts to emphasize the status and responsibility of a person within a hierarchical structure, such as in a family, business, or traditional community.
• It can carry a connotation of both honor and burden, as the "đầu mặt" is often expected to set an example and solve problems.

Variants and Related Words

• Đầu mối (noun): A point of connection, contact person, or source (e.g., in information or a network). (He is the contact person.)
• Đầu não (noun): The brain, the center of command or intelligence. (This department is the brain of the organization.)
• Mặt mũi (noun): Face, countenance; often used in contexts related to reputation or dignity (e.g., "mất mặt" - to lose face).

Synonyms

• Nhân vật chủ chốt (key figure/person)
• Người đứng đầu (the person at the head/leader)
• Người có địa vị (person of position/status)

Related Idioms

• Làm đầu mặt: To act as the leader or representative; to shoulder the responsibility of being the prominent figure.
  • Anh ấy phải làm đầu mặt cho cả gia đình. (He has to act as the head of the family.)
• Mất mặt (Note: uses "mặt" - face): To lose face, to be humiliated.
  • Hành động đó khiến anh ta mất mặt trước đám đông. (That action made him lose face in front of the crowd.)

1. cũng nói đầu mấu Knot, node