満面
Meanings
1
the whole face; all of one's face
Literal noun for the entire face. It is more written or descriptive than everyday 顔中, and often appears with に to say that sweat, color, etc. covers the face.
He came back with sweat all over his face.
2
adverb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
all over one's face; with one's whole face
Used adjectivally with の or adverbially with に, most famously in 満面の笑み, meaning that an expression is spread across the whole face.
She greeted me with a broad smile.
When their victory was decided, the players smiled all over their faces.
Usage patterns
- 満面に〈物〉をかくto be covered in (sweat, etc.) over one's whole face
He was running with sweat covering his entire face.
- 満面に〈物〉を浮かべるto have an expression spread across one's whole face
A smile spread across her entire face.
- 満面を〈形容詞〉にするto turn one's whole face (a certain color, e.g. red)
Her whole face turned bright red with embarrassment.