giving face

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "giving face" is not standard in written English and may not be widely understood.
It can be used in contexts related to maintaining appearances or showing respect, often in social or cultural discussions. Example: "In many cultures, giving face is important to maintain harmony and respect among individuals."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Just as the Chinese are about giving face they are also about not giving it and letting you know that they are not giving it to you … They don't overlook these things by mistake.

The Guardian

"Giving face comes through what you say; it can come from body language; it can come through a seemingly gratuitous demonstration that you understand some aspect of the culture; it can come from something like a proper seating chart at a circular dinner table".

The New York Times

Christine Lu, chief executive of Affinity China, a luxury venture group, said, "If you understand that dealing with people in China is all about face — giving face, getting face, saving face and not letting that person lose face — then you're all covered".

The New York Times

Zhenzhen's words show how filial obligation includes the social obligation of giving face to their elders to enable them to maintain their own positions in their social circle.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Rosie Huntington, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and Balmain designer Oliver Rousteing giving face.

Huffington Post

It was only a mile or so back that I saw a dual-sided billboard giving face to two young Native Americans recently killed in an alcohol related accident.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"At some imperceptible point around 2013 to 2014," the Times' Matthew Schneier complained, "she appears to have stopped giving face-to-face interviews". .

Huffington Post

This finding is supported by several studies on PA in the health professions domain [ 12, 23- 26, 42], although some studies report reluctance of peers in giving face-to-face feedback [ 33, 48].

BMC Medical Education

Then an upright frontal face detector based on orientation analysis and other knowledge is designed to verify the given face.

Image and Vision Computing

Klare and Jain[77] propose a perceived uniqueness measure of a given face sample and match scores from any face matcher.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Further, pseudo-labels of quality obtained from matching performance provide a direct estimate of recognizability of a given face image.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "giving face", ensure the context clearly relates to cultural norms where maintaining social harmony and respect are paramount. If the audience isn't familiar with this concept, provide a brief explanation or use a more universally understood phrase like "showing respect".

Common error

Avoid using "giving face" in situations where its cultural significance is irrelevant or could be misinterpreted. In Western contexts, phrases like "showing respect" or "maintaining appearances" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "giving face" primarily functions as a verbal phrase. Ludwig AI indicates it is often used in discussions about cultural norms, social interactions, and the maintenance of respect within specific communities. It describes the action of bestowing honor or consideration upon someone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "giving face" refers to showing respect and consideration, particularly within cultural contexts where maintaining social harmony is valued. While Ludwig AI recognizes the term, it's important to note that it is not a universally understood idiom, and its use should be carefully considered based on the audience. Using alternative phrases like "showing respect" or "maintaining appearances" may be more appropriate in some situations. The phrase is often used in news, media, and scientific contexts, and its register ranges from neutral to formal. Be mindful of the cultural implications and avoid using it inappropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showing respect

Focuses on the act of demonstrating respect, removing the cultural nuance of "face".

maintaining appearances

Emphasizes the act of upholding a certain image or perception.

preserving dignity

Highlights the importance of maintaining self-respect and respect from others.

saving face

Focuses on avoiding embarrassment or humiliation for oneself or others.

avoiding shame

Highlights the act of preventing feelings of disgrace or dishonor.

upholding reputation

Emphasizes the maintenance of a positive public image.

demonstrating deference

Focuses on showing courteous respect and submission.

honoring someone

Focuses on showing great respect and admiration.

showing consideration

Highlights the act of being thoughtful and respectful towards others.

protecting someone's image

Focuses on shielding someone's reputation from damage.

FAQs

What does "giving face" mean in a cultural context?

"Giving face" refers to actions that show respect, honor, or consideration to another person, allowing them to maintain their dignity and social standing, particularly within East Asian cultures.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "giving face"?

Use "giving face" when describing situations where maintaining social harmony and avoiding embarrassment are important, especially when discussing cultural practices where this concept is prominent.

What can I say instead of "giving face" in a general context?

You can use alternatives like "showing respect", "maintaining appearances", or "preserving dignity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "giving face" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "giving face" is not a common idiom in all English-speaking cultures. Its appropriateness depends on the audience and whether they understand the cultural context it implies. In some situations, a more direct phrase might be clearer.