面
face
At a glance · 面
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
「面」繁体「麵/面」甲骨文象脸框围目,小篆承之。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「面」本义为脸面,引申面向、表面、方面;麵为面粉。
Structure
象形字,象面部轮廓中有目,本为脸;简作面(并麵)。
At a glance
Pinyinmiàn
Radical面
Strokes9
UnicodeU+9762
Character type象形
Theme人体
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
face
face; surface; plane; side, dimension; Kangxi radical 176
Français
face / visage
Face, visage. «背邙面洛» : face à la rivière Luo.
Español
cara / rostro
Cara, rostro. «背邙面洛»: frente al río Luo.
العربية
وجه / قِبلة
وجه، قِبلة. «背邙面洛»: مقابل نهر لوه.
Русский
лицо / перед
Лицо, перед. «背邙面洛»: лицом к реке Ло.
Common words
- 面对miàn duìface
- 面子miàn ziface