you tou you lian 有头有脸

[wilhal_18]

Hi people,

Can someone explain to me what does this idiom 有头有脸 / YOU TOU YOU LIAN mean??

My chinese friend used it but when i asked him, he couldnt really explain it due to his poor english.

I am very interested to know the specific meaning.

Thank you for the explanation.

[skylee]

someone who is 有头有脸 is someone with high status or someone famous either in one particular circle or in the society in general.

PS - you can also use just 有头脸 (I used it in my blog here ).

[Iriya]

It means 'to command a lot of respect'.

[Nakura]

with high social status, well-known by many people

“他在当地也是个有头有脸的人物。”

[Iriya]

There's also the word 头面人物, the same meaning, but it's a noun.

[travelgirl]

and 丢脸 means the opposite.right?

[daofeishi]

and 丢脸 means the opposite.right?

I wouldn't say that. As far as I know, 有头有脸 refers more to a person's general social status, while 丢脸 is something that is descriptive of a situation or event. A person who 有头有脸 can do something that is 丢脸. I think 有面子/保全面子 are closer to being antonyms of 丢脸.

[imron]

The opposite of 有头有脸 would surely be 没头没脸

[skylee]

It is defiinitely not 沒頭沒腦.

[daofeishi]

I'm not sure what would be worse, 没头没脑 or 没心没肺

[imron]

这种游戏没完没了

[Guoke]

你们有完没完？

[creamyhorror]

真是没头没尾的

[wilhal_18]

Skylee, thanks so much for the reply. it was certainly helpful. I have to say that i am so impressed with many people in this forum with such a great level of chinese. thank you all.