Dictionary
English - French
Face
feɪs
Extremely common
600 - 700
600 - 700
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
visage, face (part of an object), affronter, faire face à, le visage (in an idiomatic expression)
Face meanings in French
visage
Example:
She has a beautiful face.
Elle a un beau visage.
He turned his face to the wall.
Il a tourné son visage vers le mur.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to refer to the front part of the head, where the eyes, nose, and mouth are located.
Note: The word 'visage' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It can also refer to facial expressions.
face (part of an object)
Example:
The clock has a round face.
L'horloge a un cadran rond.
The face of the building is made of glass.
La façade du bâtiment est en verre.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to refer to a flat surface of a three-dimensional object.
Note: In this context, 'face' can also be translated as 'façade' when referring to buildings.
affronter
Example:
You have to face your fears.
Tu dois affronter tes peurs.
They faced the challenge head-on.
Ils ont affronté le défi de front.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in a metaphorical sense to indicate confronting or dealing with something.
Note: This usage of 'face' implies a direct confrontation with an issue or challenge.
faire face à
Example:
We need to face the reality of the situation.
Nous devons faire face à la réalité de la situation.
He faced the consequences of his actions.
Il a fait face aux conséquences de ses actes.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to indicate dealing with a situation or problem.
Note: 'Faire face à' is a common phrase in French that conveys the idea of facing a situation or challenge.
le visage (in an idiomatic expression)
Example:
He lost face in front of his colleagues.
Il a perdu la face devant ses collègues.
She is trying to save face after the mistake.
Elle essaie de sauver la face après l'erreur.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used idiomatically to refer to a person's reputation or dignity.
Note: The expression 'perdre la face' or 'sauver la face' is commonly used in social contexts.
Face's synonyms
countenance
Countenance refers to a person's facial expression or demeanor.
Example: He had a stern countenance that intimidated others.
Note: Countenance is more formal and literary than 'face'.
visage
Visage refers to a person's facial features or appearance.
Example: Her visage reflected a mixture of emotions.
Note: Visage is a more poetic or literary term for 'face'.
facial features
Facial features refer to the distinct characteristics of a person's face.
Example: She had delicate facial features that made her stand out in a crowd.
Note: Facial features focus more on the specific attributes of the face rather than the face as a whole.
Face expressions, common phrases
Face the music
To confront a difficult or unpleasant situation and accept the consequences of one's actions.
Example: After making a mistake, it's time to face the music and accept the consequences.
Note: The phrase 'face the music' uses 'face' metaphorically to mean confronting or dealing with something rather than referring to the physical body part.
Save face
To avoid embarrassment or preserve one's dignity in a challenging situation.
Example: He apologized to save face in front of his colleagues.
Note: In this idiom, 'face' is used to represent one's reputation or honor rather than the physical face.
Face the facts
To accept the truth of a situation, especially when it is unpleasant or difficult.
Example: It's time to face the facts that the project is behind schedule.
Note: Here, 'face' is used to mean confronting or acknowledging the reality of a situation.
In your face
Used to describe something done openly or directly to someone in a way that is intended to show off or provoke a reaction.
Example: She won the game and waved the trophy in your face.
Note: This phrase uses 'face' to indicate a direct confrontation or challenge, rather than referring to the physical face.
Face value
Accepting something as it appears on the surface without deeper analysis or suspicion.
Example: He took her words at face value and didn't question her sincerity.
Note: In this context, 'face' refers to the surface appearance or initial impression of something.
Long face
An expression or look of sadness, disappointment, or gloom.
Example: She had a long face after hearing the bad news.
Note: Here, 'face' is used metaphorically to describe a person's expression or demeanor rather than the physical face itself.
Lose face
To suffer a loss of respect, dignity, or reputation, especially in public or in front of others.
Example: He didn't want to lose face in front of his peers, so he worked hard to succeed.
Note: In this idiom, 'face' represents one's honor, reputation, or dignity rather than the physical face.
Face everyday (slang) expressions
Facepalm
To cover one's face with the palm of one's hand as an expression of embarrassment, frustration, or disbelief.
Example: I made a silly mistake and all I could do was facepalm.
Note: The term 'facepalm' is a gesture that involves physically touching one's face with the palm of one's hand, unlike the original word 'face,' which refers to the front part of the head.
On Facebook
To refer to the social media platform Facebook, specifically when discussing activities or information shared on the platform.
Example: Did you see my post on Facebook about the concert?
Note: In this context, 'Facebook' is used as a specific reference to the social media platform, whereas 'face' refers to the front part of the head.
Facetime
To have a video chat using Apple's FaceTime application or video calling in general.
Example: Let's facetime later to discuss the project.
Note: 'Facetime' is a specific term referring to a video communication software or activity, while 'face' has a broader meaning of the front part of the head.
Egg on your face
To be embarrassed or humiliated by one's own mistake or incorrect assumption.
Example: He thought he was right, but when he realized he was wrong, he had egg on his face.
Note: The phrase 'egg on your face' is a metaphorical expression denoting embarrassment, while 'face' refers to the front part of the head.
Faceoff
A confrontation or competition that involves direct interaction, often in a competitive setting.
Example: The two teams had an intense faceoff on the ice.
Note: 'Faceoff' is a term used in sports or competitive scenarios to describe a direct confrontation, contrasting with the original word 'face' denoting the front part of the head.
Stone-faced
To have a facial expression that shows no emotion, often appearing serious or unresponsive.
Example: Even in the most serious situations, she remained stone-faced.
Note: 'Stone-faced' describes a specific facial expression lacking emotion, in contrast to 'face' which refers to the entire front part of the head.
Face - Examples
His face turned red when he saw her.
Son visage est devenu rouge quand il l'a vue.
I can't remember her face.
Je ne peux pas me souvenir de son visage.
We will have to face the consequences of our actions.
Nous devrons faire face aux conséquences de nos actions.
Face grammar
Face - Verb (Verb) / Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present)
Lemma: face
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): faces, face
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): face
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): faced
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): facing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): faces
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): face
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): face
Syllables, Separation and Stress
face Contains 1 syllables: face
Phonetic transcription: ˈfās
face , ˈfās (The red syllable is stressed)
Face - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
face: 600 - 700 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.