面
Meanings
A rough, often insulting or vulgar word for a person's face. Use 顔 for a neutral 'face'.
See also: 顔 (かお)
Don't ever show your face here again.
surface; outer face
Refers to the surface or outward side of something; in modern use it is often encountered in compounds such as 上っ面 rather than as a plain standalone noun.
You can't solve the problem by looking only at the surface.
A food or butchery term for meat from the cheek; this sense is usually written in kana.
On a yakiniku restaurant menu, ツラ can refer to cheek meat.
cheek; cheeks
Archaic use for the cheek or cheeks. Modern Japanese normally uses 頬 read ほお or ほほ for this meaning.
In old writing, 頬 may be read つら and refer to the cheek.
surrounding area; nearby area
Archaic use meaning the area around or beside something; not a productive everyday standalone noun in modern Japanese.
In classical Japanese, つら can be used to mean 'the area around there.'
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉の面を殴るto punch someone's face (rough, vulgar phrasing)
I want to punch that guy's ugly face.
- 面が割れるfor someone's face/identity to become known (e.g. to the police)
It seems the culprit's face is already known to the police.
- 〈人〉が面を出すfor someone to show up or make an appearance (dismissive/rough)
That guy showed his ugly face here again.