gu3 min6顧面顾面

Jyutpinggu3 min6

Yalegu mihn

Definition

To save face, keep up appearances, or care about others' opinions.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

Focusing on social harmony, this term emphasizes the act of preserving dignity for oneself or others in public settings. It often implies a strategic choice to avoid direct confrontation or criticism to maintain a positive atmosphere. While similar to the concept of face, it specifically highlights the active effort one makes to protect that social standing.

Examples

keoi5佢hou2好gu3顧min6面，m4唔wui2會喺hai2人jan4面min2前cin4鬧naau6你。

He cares a lot about face and won't scold you in front of others.

nei5你zou6做je5嘢jiu3要gu3顧min6面，m4唔hou2好gaau2搞dou3到daai6大gaa1家gaam3尷gaai3尬。

You need to consider people's feelings when you do things, don't make everyone feel awkward.

Common phrases

hou2好gu3顧min6面

very concerned about saving face

m4唔gu3顧min2面

not caring about saving face

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 畀面, which means to give face to someone else as a favor. 顧面 is more about the internal motivation to maintain appearances or avoid shame, whereas 畀面 is an external action performed for another person.