Meaning:

面子 (miànzi) face

Usage:

“面子”原本指物体的表面，后来发展出两个意思：一是表面的虚荣；二是情面。中国人向来重视“面子”问题，有时与自尊联系在一起。

“面子” means the face or surface of an object. It then developed two meanings: one is superficial vanity; the other is to save face. Chinese people pay close attention to questions regarding face, which sometimes relates to self-esteem.

Examples:

1. 给个面子吧，不要当众戳穿我的谎言。

    Gěi ge miànzǐ ba, búyào dāngzhòng chuōchuān wǒ de huǎngyán

    Give me some face – don’t expose my lies in pubic.

2. 他曾想过主动承认错误，但又放不下面子。

    Tā céng xiǎngguò zhǔdòng chéngrèn cuòwù, dàn yòu fàng bú xià miànzi

    He once thought about taking initiative and admitting his fault, but he didn’t want to lose face.