局面 júmiàn aspect
aspect; phase; situation
How to remember 局面: 局 office + 面 face = aspect.
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How it is used
- The situation / state of affairs, especially how things stand overall: 打开局面 (dǎkāi júmiàn) to break the deadlock/open things up, 稳定的局面 (a stable situation).
- Compare 形势 (xíngshì), the broader trend/circumstances; 局面 is the concrete configuration one has to deal with here and now.
- Often with 控制/扭转/打开 (control/turn around/open up).