半面之交
半面之交 (bàn miàn zhī jiāo) literally means “half-face acquaintance” and expresses “superficial acquaintance without depth”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ban mian zhi jiao, ban mian zhi jiao,半面之交 meaning, 半面之交 in english
Superficial acquaintance without depth
Pronunciation: bàn miàn zhī jiāo Literal meaning: Half-face acquaintance
Origin & Usage
This idiom originated from Tang Dynasty social terminology, first appearing in poetry describing fleeting encounters that created recognition without depth. During the Song Dynasty, scholars used it to categorize their extensive social networks by intimacy levels. The metaphor of seeing only half a face (半面) worth of interaction (之交) was particularly effective—partially glimpsed features suggest recognition without revealing complete character or emotions. Unlike terms simply meaning 'stranger,' it specifically identifies the intermediate relationship stage beyond anonymity but before genuine connection. Modern usage spans networking contexts to social media connections, describing relationships with sufficient recognition for acknowledgment but insufficient depth for meaningful trust or intimacy, particularly in professional contexts where extensive weak ties complement fewer strong relationships.
When to Use
Situation: They had only met briefly at conferences and weren't close enough for personal favors
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 半面之交 mean in English?
半面之交 (bàn miàn zhī jiāo) literally translates to “Half-face acquaintance” and is used to express “Superficial acquaintance without depth”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 半面之交 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving superficial acquaintance without depth.
What is the pinyin for 半面之交?
The pinyin pronunciation for 半面之交 is “bàn miàn zhī jiāo”.