顔

By extension: dignity, honor, reputation, or sense of shame — all derived metaphorically from “one’s face.”

In literary and moral contexts, 顏 signifies the external manifestation of inner virtue, the visible reflection of one’s moral or emotional state.

Phono-semantic compound:

頁 (머리 혈) — semantic component, indicates head or face.

彥 (선비 언) — phonetic component, provides the sound yán / an and connotes refinement, cultured virtue, or noble demeanor.

Thus 頁 + 彥 → 顏 — literally “the refined or noble face,” i.e., countenance as the expression of character.

In Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「顏，面也。从頁，彥聲。」

“顏 means face; composed of 頁 and phonetic 彥.”

Originally, 顏 referred to the human face — the part by which one is recognized and one’s emotions revealed.

From this concrete sense, it extended to abstract meanings: honor, reputation, propriety, and moral appearance.

顏面 (안면) — face; countenance; personal appearance.

厚顏 (후안) — shamelessness; impudence (lit. “thick-faced”)

厚顏無恥 (후안무치) — shameless and without honor

顏色 (안색) — facial color; complexion; expression

顏容 (안용) — facial expression; outward appearance

顏貌 (안모) — visage; features; countenance

顏情 (안정) — expression of feeling through the face

Kangxi Dictionary (康熙字典, vol. 1313):

「顏，面也，引申為容色、名譽。」

“顏 means the face; by extension, appearance and reputation.”

In Confucian ethics, the harmony of one’s 顏 (expression) reflects the harmony of one’s 心 (heart), making the face both a mirror of virtue and a measure of moral integrity.

Book of Rites (禮記 · 曲禮上):

「毋不敬，顏色柔和。」

“Be ever respectful, and let your expression be gentle and harmonious” — 顏色 here denotes facial expression as moral decorum.

Analects (論語 · 顔淵):

「顏回不改其樂。」

“Yan Hui never altered his joy” — Though referring to the disciple’s name (顏回), Confucian commentators later connected 顏 with visible serenity of virtue.

Mencius (孟子 · 盡心上):

「見顏色而不懼。」

“He sees the ruler’s countenance and feels no fear” — 顏色 as the facial expression of authority.

Zhuangzi (莊子 · 山木):

「和其顏色。」

“He harmonized his expression.” — the face as a mirror of inner calm.

In Chinese moral philosophy, the face (顏) came to symbolize personal honor and moral integrity.

Losing face (失顏, later 失面子) meant a loss of social or moral standing, while keeping face implied propriety and respect.

In modern Chinese, the everyday term for “face” is 脸 / 臉, whereas 顏 is reserved for literary, classical, or compound use (e.g., 顏色 “color, facial expression”).

In Korean, 顏 survives in literary compounds such as 顏面 (“face”) and in idioms like 厚顏無恥 (“shameless”).