HSK 7-9
看在X的面子上
kàn zài X de miànzi shang
For the sake of X; out of respect for X
Structure
看在 + [Person/Entity] + 的面子上 + [Action/Request]
How it works
This construction is used to ask for a favor, forgiveness, or a change in decision based on the respect one has for a third party (X). It suggests that the speaker or subject is doing something they might not otherwise do, solely because of their relationship with or regard for 'X'.
Examples
看在你父亲的面子上，我这次就不和你计较了。
Kàn zài nǐ fùqīn de miànzi shang, wǒ zhè cì jiù bù hé nǐ jìjiào le.
For your father's sake, I won't argue with you this time.
请看在老同学的面子上，再给我一次机会吧。
Qǐng kàn zài lǎo tóngxué de miànzi shang, zài gěi wǒ yī cì jīhuì ba.
Please give me one more chance for the sake of our old school friendship.
他本来不想参加，但看在王经理的面子上还是去了。
Tā běnlái bù xiǎng cānjiā, dàn kàn zài Wáng jīnglǐ de miànzi shang háishì qù le.
He originally didn't want to attend, but he went anyway out of respect for Manager Wang.
Common mistakes
Users sometimes omit the '看' or '上', saying just '在...的面子里', but the fixed structure '看在...的面子上' is necessary to convey the idiomatic meaning.
Tip
This phrase is deeply rooted in the Chinese cultural concept of 'Mianzi' (Face). Use it when you need to bridge a difficult social situation by invoking a mutual acquaintance or a significant relationship.
More HSK 7-9 grammar
See 看在X的面子上 in real Chinese
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