face
face — 動詞
- facepresent simple I / you / we / they
- faces3rd person singular
- facing-ing form
- facedpast simple
1. to need to deal directly with a problem, obstacle, or unpleasant situation that
面對；應對
處理無法避開的困難
to need to deal directly with a problem, obstacle, or unpleasant situation that cannot be avoided.
After the earthquake, the town faced the huge challenge of rebuilding homes and schools.
地震過後，這座小鎮面臨重建家園與學校的巨大挑戰。
Many small businesses face the risk of closure when a large supermarket opens nearby.
當大型超市在附近開業時，許多小企業面臨倒閉的風險。
face + noun phrase for encountering risks
Ziad faced a difficult decision about whether to move abroad for work.
Ziad 面臨一個艱難的抉擇：是否要搬到國外工作。
The hospital is now faced with a shortage of nurses after the government's budget cuts.
政府削減預算後，這間醫院面臨護理人員不足的問題。
The team knows it faces fierce competition from rival companies.
團隊明白自己面臨來自對手的激烈競爭。
- avoid
to stay away from a problem instead of dealing with it
文法句型
face + noun phrase
be faced with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive form 'be faced with' to describe a problem that someone must deal with. The active form ('face + noun') is also common when the subject is actively confronting the difficulty.
常見錯誤
2. to admit that a hard truth exists and take steps to address it, rather than cont
正視；接受
承認不愉快的事實
to admit that a hard truth exists and take steps to address it, rather than continuing to look away.
We need to face the fact that our current plan is not working.
我們需要正視一個事實：目前的計畫行不通。
Ava finally faced the truth about her health after years of ignoring warning signs.
Ava 在多年忽略身體警訊之後，終於正視了自己的健康問題。
face + the truth/reality for honest acceptance
It is time for the government to face reality and invest more in public transport.
政府是時候面對現實，在公共交通上投入更多經費。
Yuki had to face the unpleasant fact that her business was losing money every month.
Yuki 不得不接受一個不愉快的現實：她的公司每個月都在賠錢。
The manager faced the truth that his team needed outside help to finish the project on time.
經理正視了真相——他的團隊需要外部支援才能按時完成專案。
- acknowledge
less emotional; focuses on admitting the truth without the pressure to act on it
- accept
broader meaning; can be used for pleasant truths too, unlike 'face' which implies difficulty
- deny
to refuse to accept that something unpleasant is true
文法句型
face + noun phrase (truth/facts/reality)
face + that-clause
用法筆記
Often used with nouns like 'truth', 'fact', 'reality'. Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense emphasises accepting and acknowledging the truth rather than dealing with a problem practically.
常見錯誤
3. to feel unable to deal with a difficult or unpleasant activity or situation beca
無法面對
因太困難而不願處理
to feel unable to deal with a difficult or unpleasant activity or situation because it feels too overwhelming.
Sari could not face another day of arguing with her difficult colleagues.
Sari 實在無法再忍受和那群難相處的同事多吵一天。
couldn't face + noun phrase for avoiding a situation
After the accident, Anjali could not face driving on the motorway again.
發生車禍之後，Anjali 再也無法面對在高速公路上開車這件事。
can't face + gerund for avoiding an activity
The thought of cleaning the entire house alone was more than Femi could face.
想到要一個人打掃整間房子，Femi 覺得自己完全應付不來。
Joaquín could not face the long queue at the post office and went back home.
Joaquín 受不了郵局那條長長的隊伍，於是轉身回家了。
Inês simply cannot face eating another bowl of plain rice and beans for dinner.
Inês 真的不想晚餐再吃一碗只有白飯和豆子的簡單菜色。
- dread
emphasises the fear or anxiety about the situation, not just the inability to deal with it
文法句型
can't/couldn't face + noun phrase
can't/couldn't face + gerund
用法筆記
Almost always used in negative constructions with 'can't' or 'couldn't', followed by a noun phrase or a gerund (-ing form). Almost never used in affirmative sentences.
常見錯誤
4. to stand up to another person in a tense or competitive encounter and state your
對峙
直接與某人處理衝突
to stand up to another person in a tense or competitive encounter and state your position openly.
The manager decided to face the employee who had been stealing office supplies.
經理決定當面質問那個偷拿辦公室文具的員工。
Nellie faced her neighbour after the argument about the noisy dog.
Nellie 在為那隻愛叫的狗吵過架之後，還是去面對了她的鄰居。
face + person for direct confrontation
Chiara faced her opponent in the final match with courage and determination.
Chiara 帶著勇氣與決心，在決賽中迎戰她的對手。
When the teacher faced the angry parents, she explained her grading rules calmly.
當老師面對那些憤怒的家長時，她冷靜地解釋了自己的評分標準。
The committee will have to face the protesters at tomorrow's public hearing.
委員會將不得不在明天的公聽會上直接面對抗議群眾。
- confront
stronger and more direct; suggests challenging someone's behaviour or opinions openly
- stand up to
more informal; implies resisting someone who is stronger or more powerful
- avoid
to stay away from a person rather than dealing with them directly
文法句型
face + person/opponent/critic
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense refers to confronting a person directly, while sense 1 refers to dealing with a problem or situation. This sense often involves a face-to-face encounter.
常見錯誤
5. to be positioned so that the front part of something or someone's body is turned
面向；朝向
正面對著某個方向
to be positioned so that the front part of something or someone's body is turned towards a particular place or direction.
Our hotel room faces the sea, so we can watch the sunset every evening.
我們的旅館房間面向大海，因此每天晚上都能看到夕陽。
face + landmark for physical orientation
The living room windows face south, which keeps the house warm in winter.
客廳的窗戶朝南，冬天時能讓屋內保持溫暖。
face + compass direction
Adina turned to face the door when she heard someone knocking.
Adina 聽到有人敲門，便轉身面向門口。
The new library building faces the main square in the city centre.
新圖書館大樓正對著市中心的主要廣場。
Our balcony faces the park, giving us a nice view of the trees and flowers.
我們的陽台面向公園，讓我們可以欣賞樹木和花朵的美景。
- look out onto
more descriptive; used specifically for windows, balconies, or rooms with a view
- overlook
suggests a higher vantage point, like a hill or upper floor looking down on something
文法句型
face + noun (landmark/direction)
face + adverb of direction
用法筆記
Often used with compass directions (north, south, east, west) or landmarks (the sea, the street, the park). When used transitively, no preposition is needed — 'the window faces the street', NOT 'faces to the street'.
常見錯誤
6. to cover the outer surface of a wall, building, or piece of clothing with a laye
加覆；鑲面
覆蓋外層以保護或美化
to cover the outer surface of a wall, building, or piece of clothing with a layer of a different material as a finish or for protection.
The kitchen wall is faced with white ceramic tiles that are easy to clean.
廚房牆面鋪了白色磁磚，方便清潔。
passive: be faced with [material] for surface covering
The old fireplace was faced with beautiful grey stone from a nearby quarry.
舊壁爐的表面鋪了附近採石場運來的美麗灰色石材。
The builders faced the front of the house with red brick to match the street.
建築工人用紅磚鋪砌房子的正面外牆，以配合整條街的風格。
The dark grey jacket is faced with red silk along the inside of the collar.
這件深灰色夾克的內領處鑲了紅色絲綢。
The basement walls were faced with waterproof panels to keep them dry.
地下室的牆面加裝了防水板以防止滲水。
文法句型
be faced with + material (brick/stone/tiles)
用法筆記
Almost always used in passive constructions ('be faced with'). This is a specialised sense common in construction, tailoring, and interior design. Not interchangeable with 'cover' — 'face' specifically refers to an outer layer applied for finishing.
常見錯誤
7. to show someone facts, proof, or difficult questions about their actions, puttin
質問；對質
提出證據質問對方
to show someone facts, proof, or difficult questions about their actions, putting them in a position where they must respond or admit the truth
The prosecutor faced the witness with a signed statement that contradicted his earlier account.
檢察官向證人出示了一份簽名聲明，這份聲明與證人先前的說法互相矛盾。
active pattern: face + someone + with + evidence
When the board members faced him with the missing receipts, he finally admitted the mistake.
當董事會成員把遺失的收據擺在他面前時，他終於承認了錯誤。
Adaeze faced her landlord with the list of repairs that had never been done.
Adaeze 拿著一份從未修繕的清單質問她的房東。
Zayd's parents faced him with text messages proving he had lied about his whereabouts.
Zayd 的父母用簡訊證據質問他，證明他對自己的去向撒了謊。
The journalist faced the senator with documents showing money from an illegal fund.
記者向參議員出示了顯示資金來自非法來源的文件。
- confront
broader in meaning — does not require presenting evidence
- accuse
specifically about blaming someone, not just showing them facts
- present with
neutral in tone; lacks the confrontational implication of 'face'
文法句型
face + someone + with + something
用法筆記
Typically used in the pattern 'face someone with something', where the final element is evidence, an accusation, or an uncomfortable question. Unlike senses 1–4, the direct object must be a person, not a situation.
常見錯誤
face — 名詞
- facesingular
- facesplural
1. The area on a human that has two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two cheeks, sitting
臉；面孔
頭部正面，有眼耳鼻口
The area on a human that has two eyes, a nose, a mouth, and two cheeks, sitting between your forehead and chin.
Gabriel splashed cold water on his face to wake up before his morning run.
Gabriel 把冷水潑在臉上讓自己清醒，準備晨跑。
Lisa's face turned red when her boss praised her work in front of everyone.
Lisa 聽到老闆在大家面前稱讚她的工作時，臉都紅了。
The baby's face lit up with a big smile when she heard her mother's voice.
小嬰兒一聽到媽媽的聲音，臉上便綻放出燦爛的笑容。
Anna wiped the sweat from her face after jogging for an hour in the heat.
Anna 在大熱天跑步一個小時後，擦去臉上的汗水。
A fly landed on the old man's face, and he waved his hand to chase it.
一隻蒼蠅停在老人的臉上，他揮手趕走牠。
- visage
very formal, mostly literary
- countenance
formal; describes the face and its expression together
用法筆記
Often used with possessive determiners (my face, his face, her face) when referring to a specific person.
常見錯誤
2. The way someone's facial features visibly reveal their emotions or attitude towa
表情
臉上流露的情緒或神情
The way someone's facial features visibly reveal their emotions or attitude toward a situation.
Elena's face showed pure joy when she opened the gift box from her sister.
Elena 打開姊姊送的禮物盒時，臉上充滿了喜悅。
collocation: face showed [emotion]
Folake wore a worried face during the job interview, so the manager asked if she was okay.
Folake 在面試時一臉憂愁，主管於是問她是否沒事。
Nora's face changed from confusion to understanding as the teacher explained the problem.
老師解釋題目時，Nora 的表情從困惑變成了理解。
The judge kept a stern face while listening to the witness describe the events of that night.
法官聆聽證人描述當晚事件時，始終保持著嚴肅的表情。
There was a look of surprise on Astrid's face when she saw her birthday cake.
Astrid 看到生日蛋糕時，臉上露出了驚訝的表情。
- expression
more general, can apply to eyes or voice as well
- look
informal; often used with an adjective like a worried look
用法筆記
Frequently paired with descriptive adjectives (happy face, sad face, angry face) or emotion nouns (look of surprise, expression of relief).
3. An unusual expression created by twisting your mouth, nose, or eyes to show disl
鬼臉
扭曲五官以示不滿或逗趣
An unusual expression created by twisting your mouth, nose, or eyes to show dislike, disgust, or to amuse someone.
The little boy made a funny face at his sister across the table, making her laugh.
小男孩在餐桌對面朝妹妹做了個鬼臉，把她逗笑了。
collocation: make a funny face
Astrid pulled a disgusted face when she bit into the sour lemon by mistake.
Astrid 不小心咬到酸檸檬時，扮了個厭惡的鬼臉。
collocation: pull a [adjective] face
Hamza's mother told him not to make a face when she served the vegetable stew.
Hamza 的媽媽端上蔬菜燉菜時，叫他不准擺臭臉。
The children made silly faces for the camera before the teacher told them to stop.
孩子們在老師制止之前，對著鏡頭做了各種鬼臉。
Ritu pulled a face at the bitter medicine and quickly drank some orange juice.
Ritu 因為藥太苦而皺眉，然後趕快喝了柳橙汁。
- grimace
more formal; specifically shows pain or disgust, not used for humour
文法句型
make/pull a face
用法筆記
Almost always used with the verbs 'make' or 'pull' in phrases like 'make a face' or 'pull a face'. The preposition 'at' indicates the target of the expression (make a face at someone).
常見錯誤
4. The outer side or visible side of something, such as a building wall, a cliff, o
正面；外層
物體朝外或朝前的部分
The outer side or visible side of something, such as a building wall, a cliff, or any other physical item that has a clear forward-facing part.
The north face of the mountain is too steep for climbers in winter.
山的北面在冬季時太陡峭，登山客無法攀登。
collocation: north face (of a mountain)
Lien wiped the dust off the face of the old wooden cabinet with a cloth.
Lien 用布擦去舊木櫃表面的灰塵。
The building's stone face was covered in beautiful carvings from the 1800s.
這棟建築物的石砌正面覆蓋著十九世紀的精美雕刻。
The face of the old stone building was covered in thick green ivy.
那棟古老石造建築物的正面爬滿了厚厚一層綠色長春藤。
The cliff face crumbled slightly after three days of heavy rainfall.
下了三天大雨後，懸崖的表面略微崩落。
用法筆記
When used for mountains, 'face' typically refers to a steep side. For buildings, 'face' often means the front exterior wall. For objects, it refers to the most prominent or functional side.
5. The side of a timepiece, such as a watch or clock, where the hours and minutes a
鐘面；錶面
時鐘或手錶顯示時間的部位
The side of a timepiece, such as a watch or clock, where the hours and minutes are displayed using numerals or pointers.
The old clock had a round face with Roman numerals painted in black.
那座老鐘有一個圓形的鐘面，上面用黑色的羅馬數字標示。
collocation: clock face
Elena glanced at her watch face and realized she was already late for the meeting.
Elena 看了一眼手錶的錶面，發現自己開會已經遲到了。
Steam covered the kitchen clock face, so Nora could barely read the numbers.
水蒸氣布滿了廚房時鐘的鐘面，Nora 幾乎看不清數字。
Gabriel's new watch has a simple white face with thin silver hands.
Gabriel 的新手錶有一個簡潔的白色錶面和細長的銀色指針。
A crack appeared across the classroom clock face, but it still ticked normally.
教室時鐘的鐘面出現了一道裂痕，但仍然正常地走動著。
- dial
more technical; also refers to the panel on radios or compasses
用法筆記
Often used in compound form 'clock face' or 'watch face'. Can also appear as 'face of the clock/watch'.
6. The degree of honour and respect that others feel toward a person or group, espe
面子；尊嚴
在他人眼中的名譽或地位
The degree of honour and respect that others feel toward a person or group, especially when it can be kept, lost, or damaged.
The diplomat offered a public apology to save face after the misunderstanding at the summit.
這位外交官在峰會誤會後公開道歉，試圖挽回面子。
idiom: save face (avoid embarrassment)
Losing the match in front of his home town was a serious loss of face for the young athlete.
在家鄉父老面前輸掉比賽，對年輕運動員來說是很大的失面子。
idiom: loss of face (loss of respect)
The company paid the fine quietly to preserve its face with business partners.
公司低調繳納罰款，以維護在合作夥伴面前的顏面。
Folake's manager warned her in private to avoid making her lose face with the team.
Folake 的主管私下警告她，以免讓她在團隊面前丟臉。
In many cultures, saving face matters more than winning an argument.
在許多文化中，顧全面子比贏得一場爭論更重要。
- shame
the opposite of having face; the feeling of dishonour
用法筆記
This sense most commonly appears in fixed expressions: 'save face' (avoid embarrassment), 'lose face' (become less respected), 'a matter of face' (involving personal honour). Rarely used outside these patterns.
常見錯誤
7. A person of a particular type, especially one who you know or have seen before.
人；人物
用來指某種特定的人
A person of a particular type, especially one who you know or have seen before.
Erik recognized a familiar face among the group of new students.
Erik 在一群新學生中看到了一張熟悉的面孔。
collocation: familiar face
The bakery hired several fresh faces to work at the counter.
這家麵包店雇用了幾張新面孔在櫃檯工作。
collocation: fresh face
Beatrix is a well-known face in the local theatre community.
Beatrix 是當地劇場界的一個知名人物。
Many new faces appeared at the town meeting about the park.
在關於公園的鎮民大會上，出現了許多新面孔。
Selim saw an old face from his school days on the train.
Selim 在火車上看到了一張學生時代的老面孔。
- individual
more formal and neutral; does not imply that you know the person
用法筆記
Often paired with an adjective that describes how familiar the person is, such as 'new', 'old', 'familiar', 'fresh', or 'well-known'.
常見錯誤
8. The visible or noticeable character of a place, activity, or system, especially
樣貌；風貌
領域或事物的整體面貌
The visible or noticeable character of a place, activity, or system, especially as it appears after a change or development.
Modern technology has changed the face of education around the world.
現代科技改變了全球教育的面貌。
collocation: the face of [education/industry/city]
The face of the old city was transformed by the new buildings and parks.
這座古城的面貌因新建築和公園而徹底改變。
Behind the cheerful face of the festival there were many problems.
在節慶歡樂的表面背後，其實存在許多問題。
The company presented a friendly face to the public through its ads.
這家公司透過廣告向大眾展現了友善的面貌。
The arrival of high-speed trains changed the face of public transport across the country.
高速鐵路的開通改變了全國公共運輸的樣貌。
- appearance
can describe both physical and abstract qualities, but is less idiomatic in the 'face of something' pattern
- reality
what something is truly like, as opposed to how it appears on the surface
文法句型
the face of [city/industry/education]
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' to describe an area or activity that has undergone visible change. The subject is usually an abstract noun or a geographical area, not a person.
9. Rude or disrespectful behaviour that shows no shame, especially when someone is
厚顏；無禮
厚臉皮或無禮的行為
Rude or disrespectful behaviour that shows no shame, especially when someone is too confident or says something that they should not say.
Tomás had the face to ask his boss for a holiday after working only one week.
Tomás 才工作一週，竟有臉向老闆要求休假。
construction: have the face to + infinitive
Hari had the face to blame his teammate for the mistake that he himself made.
Hari 有臉責怪隊友犯了他自己犯的錯。
Adaeze had the face to complain about the food after eating three full plates.
Adaeze 吃完三大盤食物後還有臉抱怨菜不好吃。
Bao had the face to arrive late and then tell everyone else to hurry up.
Bao 有臉遲到，還叫大家動作快一點。
Jessica had the face to ask for a refund after wearing the dress twice.
Jessica 那件洋裝穿了兩次之後，還有臉要求退款。
- respect
polite and thoughtful behaviour towards others
文法句型
have the face to + infinitive
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. Almost always appears in the fixed expression 'have the face to do something' — the definite article 'the' is required before 'face'.