====== méi miànzi: 没面子 - To Lose Face, To be Embarrassed ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** méi miànzi, 没面子, lose face Chinese, what is mianzi, Chinese face culture, social standing in China, Chinese embarrassment, save face, give face, diulian, 不好意思 vs 没面子
  * **Summary:** Learn the crucial Chinese cultural concept of **没面子 (méi miànzi)**, which means "to lose face." This term goes beyond simple embarrassment; it signifies a public loss of social standing, reputation, and dignity within a group. Understanding **没面子** is essential for navigating social and professional situations in China, as it is deeply connected to respect, honor, and interpersonal relationships.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** méi miànzi
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb Phrase
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (Component parts are HSK 1 [[没]] and HSK 5 [[面子]])
  * **Concise Definition:** To lose face; to be embarrassed or humiliated, resulting in a loss of social prestige.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **没面子 (méi miànzi)** describes the feeling and a state of being when your reputation or social standing is damaged in front of others. It’s not just about feeling personally awkward; it’s about a public loss of respect and credibility. This can happen if you are publicly criticized, if you fail to fulfill a social obligation, or if someone you are responsible for (like your child or employee) behaves poorly.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **没 (méi):** A negative particle meaning "to not have" or "there isn't." It's the same "méi" used in "没有 (méiyǒu)."
  * **面子 (miànzi):** This is a critical cultural term that translates to "face," but it means much more than the physical face. It represents a person's social standing, reputation, prestige, and honor, as perceived by others.
    * **面 (miàn):** Means "face" or "surface."
    * **子 (zi):** A common noun suffix with a neutral tone.
  * The combination **没面子 (méi miànzi)** literally means "to not have face," a direct and powerful way to describe the loss of one's social standing.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **"Face" as Social Currency:** In Chinese culture, `面子 (miànzi)` is like a form of social currency. You can gain it, give it, save it, and lose it. Having `面子` means you are respected and have influence, which makes social interactions smoother. To cause someone to have **没面子** is a serious social transgression, as it damages their reputation and ability to operate effectively within their social network ([[关系]], guānxi).
  * **Western "Embarrassment" vs. Chinese "Losing Face":** While related, they are not the same. Western embarrassment is often a private, internal feeling. You can feel embarrassed even when you're alone. **没面子** is inherently public and relational. It requires an "audience" — your status is diminished *in their eyes*. For example, tripping on the sidewalk might be embarrassing (不好意思, bù hǎoyìsi), but having your boss yell at you in front of your colleagues for a mistake makes you **没面子**. The first is a minor slip-up; the second damages your professional authority and credibility.
  * **Collectivism and Harmony:** The concept is tied to China's collectivistic culture, where maintaining group harmony is paramount. Publicly shaming someone causes them to have **没面子**, which disrupts this harmony. Therefore, people often go to great lengths to help others "save face" (保住面子, bǎozhù miànzi) to keep relationships stable.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **In Conversation:** This is a very common term used in daily life. People might say "我今天好没面子" (I really lost face today) after a humiliating experience. They might also warn a friend, "别那么做，很没面子" (Don't do that, it's very embarrassing/face-losing).
  * **In Business:** "Face" is critical in business negotiations. Publicly contradicting a superior or a client, or failing to deliver on a promise, would cause immense loss of face for everyone involved. Conversely, praising a business partner in front of their team "gives them face" ([[给面子]], gěi miànzi) and strengthens the relationship.
  * **On Social Media:** A netizen might comment on a celebrity scandal by saying the celebrity's actions made their family **没面子**. It's used to describe any public action that brings shame or disgrace to an individual or their associated group.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 老板在所有人面前批评我，让我很**没面子**。
    * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn zài suǒyǒu rén miànqián pīpíng wǒ, ràng wǒ hěn **méi miànzi**.
    * English: The boss criticized me in front of everyone, which made me lose a lot of face.
    * Analysis: This is a classic example. The criticism isn't just feedback; its public nature causes a loss of social and professional standing.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 他请客吃饭结果忘了带钱包，觉得特别**没面子**。
    * Pinyin: Tā qǐngkè chīfàn jiéguǒ wàng le dài qiánbāo, juéde tèbié **méi miànzi**.
    * English: He invited everyone to dinner but forgot his wallet; he felt he had really lost face.
    * Analysis: In Chinese culture, the host paying is a crucial social ritual. Failing to do so is a major social blunder that results in **没面子**.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 你要是不来参加我的婚礼，我会很**没面子**的。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ yàoshi bù lái cānjiā wǒ de hūnlǐ, wǒ huì hěn **méi miànzi** de.
    * English: If you don't come to my wedding, I will lose a lot of face.
    * Analysis: The attendance of guests, especially important ones, gives the host `面子` (face). A key person's absence implies a lack of respect and causes the host to have **没面子**.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 儿子考试不及格，他觉得在亲戚面前很**没面子**。
    * Pinyin: Érzi kǎoshì bù jígé, tā juéde zài qīnqi miànqián hěn **méi miànzi**.
    * English: His son failed the exam, and he felt he had lost face in front of the relatives.
    * Analysis: A child's success or failure is often seen as a direct reflection on the parents. The child's failure brings shame, or **没面子**, to the parent.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 当众拒绝他的请求，他会觉得很**没面子**。
    * Pinyin: Dāngzhòng jùjué tā de qǐngqiú, tā huì juéde hěn **méi miànzi**.
    * English: If you refuse his request in public, he will feel that he has lost face.
    * Analysis: This highlights the importance of handling rejections delicately and privately to help the other person "save face."
  * **Example 6:**
    * 作为一个团队，我们不能做让公司**没面子**的事情。
    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè tuánduì, wǒmen bùnéng zuò ràng gōngsī **méi miànzi** de shìqing.
    * English: As a team, we cannot do things that would cause the company to lose face.
    * Analysis: "Face" can apply not just to individuals but to groups, families, and companies. The reputation of the collective is at stake.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他这么有钱，却开一辆破车，难道不觉得**没面子**吗？
    * Pinyin: Tā zhème yǒuqián, què kāi yī liàng pò chē, nándào bù juéde **méi miànzi** ma?
    * English: He's so rich, yet he drives a beat-up car. Don't you think that's a loss of face?
    * Analysis: Material possessions and outward appearances are often linked to `面子`. Failing to display a level of wealth appropriate to one's status can be seen as **没面子**.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 我上次帮你那么大忙，这次你却不帮我，太让我**没面子**了。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ shàngcì bāng nǐ nàme dà máng, zhècì nǐ què bù bāng wǒ, tài ràng wǒ **méi miànzi** le.
    * English: I helped you out so much last time, but this time you won't help me. You're really making me lose face.
    * Analysis: This links **没面子** to the concept of reciprocity ([[人情]], rénqíng). Failing to return a favor is a sign of disrespect and causes the original favor-giver to lose face.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 在重要的晚宴上穿得太随便，是件很**没面子**的事。
    * Pinyin: Zài zhòngyào de wǎnyàn shàng chuān de tài suíbiàn, shì jiàn hěn **méi miànzi** de shì.
    * English: Dressing too casually for an important dinner banquet is a very face-losing thing to do.
    * Analysis: Adherence to social protocol and dress codes is part of maintaining one's own face and showing respect to others.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 求婚被当场拒绝，那也太**没面子**了。
    * Pinyin: Qiúhūn bèi dāngchǎng jùjué, nà yě tài **méi miànzi** le.
    * English: To have your marriage proposal rejected on the spot, that's just too much of a loss of face.
    * Analysis: This is an extreme example of public rejection leading to a significant loss of dignity and social standing.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **"没面子" vs. "不好意思" (bù hǎoyìsi):** This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    * **不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi):** Is for minor, personal feelings of shyness, awkwardness, or apology. It's low-stakes.
      * *Example:* "哎呀，踩到你的脚了，真**不好意思**。" (Oops, I stepped on your foot, I'm so sorry/embarrassed.)
    * **没面子 (méi miànzi):** Is for a more serious, public loss of dignity or reputation. It's high-stakes and social.
      * *Example:* "他在会议上说我的方案一文不值，让我很**没面子**。" (He said my proposal was worthless during the meeting, making me lose face.)
    * **Incorrect Usage:** You wouldn't say "踩到你的脚了，真没面子" (Stepping on your foot, what a loss of face). This is far too dramatic and misuses the concept. **没面子** requires a real blow to one's reputation.
  * **It Must Be Social/Public:** You cannot have **没面子** when you are alone. If you make a mistake while cooking by yourself, you might feel frustrated, but you don't lose face. If you make the same mistake while cooking for important guests, you have **没面子**. The concept is defined by the presence of others.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[面子]] (miànzi)` - The foundational concept of "face," meaning social standing, prestige, and honor.
  * `[[丢脸]] (diūliǎn)` - A very close synonym, also meaning "to lose face." `丢脸` (to throw away face) can sometimes imply the loss of face was due to one's own disgraceful actions, and can feel slightly stronger or more severe than **没面子**.
  * `[[给面子]] (gěi miànzi)` - The opposite action: "to give face." To show respect or deference to someone, thereby enhancing their social standing.
  * `[[有面子]] (yǒu miànzi)` - The opposite state: "to have face." To possess a good reputation and high social standing.
  * `[[爱面子]] (ài miànzi)` - (Verb phrase/Adjective) To be very concerned with one's reputation; to be sensitive about losing face.
  * `[[保住面子]] (bǎozhù miànzi)` - "To save face." To successfully protect one's own or someone else's reputation from being damaged.
  * `[[不好意思]] (bù hǎoyìsi)` - A much milder term for feeling shy, apologetic, or slightly embarrassed over a minor issue.
  * `[[关系]] (guānxi)` - The network of social connections and relationships that is built and maintained through the exchange of favors and face.
  * `[[人情]] (rénqíng)` - The social obligation or human favor that is owed between people within their `关系`. Giving and saving face is a key part of managing `人情`.