不要脸
bù yào liǎn
The phrase "shame on you" is expressed in Chinese as 不要脸 (bù yào liǎn).
不要脸 is used to describe someone who is acting shamelessly or to express that someone should be ashamed of their behavior.
Meaning: expression of disapproval (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "do not want face," where 脸 (liǎn) represents one's dignity or reputation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This expression is quite blunt and can be highly insulting depending on the tone, making it unsuitable for formal or polite settings.
How do you pronounce it?
bù yào liǎn
Did you know?
- In certain Chinese internet slang, instead of saying someone is shameless, people might use the term 'thick-skinned' (hòu liǎn) to describe someone who shamelessly persists despite being corrected.
- There is a related term 丢脸 which means 'to lose face', where the verb 丢 means 'to throw away' or 'to lose', suggesting that dignity is a tangible object that can be dropped.
- The phrase is so potent that using it during a heated argument can be seen as a 'face-attacking' move, which may lead the other person to react with extreme anger to defend their honor.
Examples in context
- 你的行为很丢脸！Your behavior is very shameful!
- 你真丢人！You're really shameful!
- 哈哈，你真丢人！Haha, you're really shameful!
- 你真是不要脸。Nǐ zhēnshì bùyào liǎn.You are truly shameless.
Example conversation
Wei is arguing with a dishonest salesman.
- 雨婷 Yuting你竟然骗我的钱？Nǐ jìngrán piàn wǒ de qián?You actually cheated me out of my money?
- 伟 Wei我没有骗你，那是误会。Wǒ méiyǒu piàn nǐ, nà shì wùhuì.I didn't cheat you, it's a misunderstanding.
- 雨婷 Yuting你真是太不要脸了！Nǐ zhēnshì tài bùyào liǎn le!You are truly too shameless!
- 伟 Wei请你说话客气一点。Qǐng nǐ shuōhuà kèqì yīdiǎn.Please watch your tone.
