面

We have accumulated a lot of basic Chinese characters during our past learning journey that we can use to assemble more complex characters. While pick up low hanging fruits, we will continue to equip us with new basic characters like this one today: 面.

It is not that easy to guess the meaning of 面 by looking at its modern way of writing. As usual, 面's evolution history will help:

evolution history of 面

Inside the Oracle script , there is a drawing of , which we can recognize easily as drawing of an eye. is Chinese character 目. We can found its detailed explanation at  https://xiongzou.blogspot.com/2011/12/learn-one-chinese-character-day_18.html

Its another Oracle script  emphasizes its relationship with a human.

When it evolved to Seal script , it is much clear that refers to eye. However what does the surrounding referring to? Combined with meaning of 面 we know today, is the outline of a face.

Chinese ancestors noticed eyes as the most obvious and important part of our face and draw it together with the outline of a face to represent the meaning of face:   .

When time passes,  was simplified to our current way of writing: 面, which pretty much lost its original drawing.

So 面 means face as noun. for example 面部.

面 can also be used as verb to mean facing or face to face. for example 面壁,  面谈.

What we facing can refer to a direction or position. for example 前面, 后面.

Face is what we can see from a person, 面 is also used to represent meaning of surface: 表面.

That is all for 面 today, time to enjoy a Chinese calligraphy with 面 inside:

胜日寻芳泗水滨，无边光景一时新；
等闲识得东风面，万紫千红总是春。