English：
"Save face" means to preserve one's dignity, reputation, or social standing — especially in a difficult situation. It entered English from Chinese "留面子" (liú miàn zi) or "给面子" (gěi miàn zi). A companion phrase to "lose face," it is used globally in diplomacy, business, and everyday social interactions.
中文：
"Save face" 意为在困境中保持尊严、声誉或社会地位。它来自中文"留面子"或"给面子"。与"lose face"配套使用，在全球外交、商务和日常社交中使用。
The Oxford English Dictionary records "save face" as deriving from Chinese, with its earliest citation from 1870 — about 36 years after "lose face" was first recorded. The concept of "giving face" (给面子) and "saving face" (保全面子) is fundamental to Chinese social dynamics. These terms have influenced English so deeply that most people don't realize their Chinese origin.
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. "save" (v.1), section P2. "to save face." <a href="https://www.oed.com/dictionary/save_v1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.oed.com/dictionary/save_v1</a>
中文：牛津英语词典将"save face"记录为源自中文，最早引用自1870年——比"lose face"的记录晚了约36年。"给面子"和"保全面子"的概念是中国社会动态的基础。这些术语对英语影响深远，大多数人都不知道它们的中文起源。
📌 Example 1
After a tough negotiation:
"The compromise was carefully crafted."
"They needed a way to save face after backing down."
艰难的谈判后：
"这个妥协方案是精心设计的。"
"他们让步后需要一个保全面子的方式。"
📌 Example 2
Helping a friend in trouble:
"I pretended not to notice his mistake."
"You helped him save face. That was kind."
帮助困境中的朋友：
"我假装没注意到他的错误。"
"你帮他保住了面子。真善良。"
📌 Example 3
Public speaking:
"When he forgot his lines, the moderator jumped in."
"She helped him save face in front of the audience."
公开演讲：
"当他忘记台词时，主持人接话了。"
"她在观众面前帮他保住了面子。"
📌 Example 4
Caption on a diplomatic photo:
"Both leaders smiling despite the disagreement."
"Diplomacy is all about saving face sometimes."
外交照片配文：
"尽管有分歧，两位领导人依然面带微笑。"
"有时候外交就是关于保全面子。"
📌 Example 5
Team management:
"I criticized the work, not the person."
"Good leadership. You let him save face while fixing the problem."
团队管理：
"我批评的是工作，不是这个人。"
"好的领导力。你在解决问题同时让他保住了面子。"
📌 Example 6
Caption on an apology post:
"Made a mistake at work. My boss gave me an easy out."
"Grateful for leaders who let you save face."
道歉帖配文：
"工作中犯了个错。我的老板给了我一个台阶下。"
"感激那些让你保全面子的领导。"
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