(つら)

つら
noun
face, surface (colloquial)
1. face
The front of the head (colloquial/rude).
いい(つら)(かわ)だ。
What nerve.
(つら)(かわ)(あつ)い means 'thick-skinned, shameless.'
(あつ)かましい(つら)をして(なに)()っているんだ。
How can you say that with such a shameless face?
あれだけ迷惑(めいわく)をかけておいて、どの(つら)さげて()たのか(しん)じられない。
I can't believe they had the nerve to show up after causing so much trouble.
どの(つら)さげて is a set phrase meaning 'how dare you show your face.'
2. surface, front
The outer part of something.
(いた)(つら)(けず)る。
To shave the surface of a board.
(かべ)(つら)()わせて(たな)()()けた。
I installed the shelf flush with the wall surface.
(ふた)つの(いた)(つら)がぴったり()うように、丁寧(ていねい)(けず)って仕上(しあ)げた。
I carefully shaved and finished it so the surfaces of the two boards would fit perfectly.

(つら) is a colloquial/rough word for face.

USAGE:
More rude than (かお). Often used in negative contexts.

EXPRESSIONS:

  • (つら)(かわ)(あつ)い: shameless, thick-skinned
  • どの(つら)さげて: how dare you

ALTERNATE READINGS:

  • (めん): mask, face (in compounds)
  • (おもて): surface, front