颜 (yán) - Face & countenance

颜Tone 2

yán ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

颜 · yán

Face;

countenance;

appearance;

color;

prestige;

also a surname.

Facecountenanceappearance

Usage highlights

Face; countenanceColorFacial expressionTo lose faceTo save facePigments; coloring

Synonyms

  • 面— face; surface
  • 脸— face; cheek
  • 色— color; expression

Antonyms

  • 背— back; reverse side
  • 里— inside; interior

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She has a beautiful face (颜).
  • The color of the paint is fading (颜色).
  • He cares a lot about saving face (颜面).
  • The Yan family lives next door (颜 family).

Collocations

  • Face; countenance(颜面)
  • Color(颜色)
  • Facial expression(容颜)
  • To lose face(丢颜)
  • To save face(顾全颜面)
  • Pigments; coloring(颜料)

Idioms

  • Beaming with smile(笑逐颜开)
  • To have the cheek to do something(厚颜无耻)
  • To change facial expression(和颜悦色)
  • To keep a straight face(正颜厉色)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, 'face' (颜面) represents social prestige, dignity, and honor.
  • The character is also a common surname, with historical figures like Yan Zhenqing, a famous Tang dynasty calligrapher.
  • In aesthetics, 颜 relates to both facial beauty and color appreciation.

FAQ