当面 dāngmiàn to somebody's face
to somebody's face; in somebody's presence
How to remember 当面: 当 act as + 面 face = to somebody's face.
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How it is used
- Face to face / in person: 当面说清楚 (dāngmiàn shuō qīngchu) to explain in person, 当面道歉 (to apologize face to face).
- Stresses doing something directly in the other person's presence, not behind their back or remotely.
- Contrast 背后 (behind one's back). Common in interpersonal contexts.