面孔
How to Understand
面孔 refers to the face of a person, specifically the front part of the head, including the eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks. It is often used in a literal sense but can also carry metaphorical meanings, such as 'the face of a company' or 'the face of a movement.'
The character 面 (miàn) originally meant 'surface' or 'side,' and later came to mean 'face.' 孔 (kǒng) literally means 'hole' or 'opening,' but in this context, it contributes to the term's meaning by emphasizing the physical features of the face, like the eyes and mouth being openings.
面孔 is commonly used in everyday speech to describe someone's appearance. It is also used in idioms and expressions, such as 面孔全非 (miàn kǒng quán fēi), which means 'the face has completely changed,' implying a significant transformation or disguise.