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顔を立てる (かおをたてる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

顔かおを立たてる

か

お

を

た

て

る

JLPTN1

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

save face; show deference; make someone look good

Used when you act in a way that preserves another person's dignity, reputation, or public image, often by showing respect or giving them credit.

上じょう司しの前まえで彼かれのミスを指し摘てきせず、顔かおを立たてた。
I saved his face by not pointing out his mistake in front of the boss.

お

客きゃく

様さま

の

顔かお

を

立た

てる

ため

に

、

特とく

別べつ

な

席せき

を

用よう

意い

し

た

。

We prepared a special seat to show deference to the client.

Written forms

顔かおを立たてる
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
顔かおをたてる
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; less common but still used.

Kanji

顔face, expression
立stand up, rise, set up

Similar words

面めん目ぼくを保たもつ
More formal and focuses on preserving one's own honor or reputation, whereas 顔を立てる is about preserving someone else's face in social situations.
顔かおをつぶす
The opposite: to cause someone to lose face or be embarrassed.

Etymology

From 顔 (face) + を + 立てる (to stand/raise). The idea is to 'raise someone's face' i.e., uphold their public image. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is a common figurative expression in Japanese.