面(つら)

つら
noun
face, surface (colloquial)
1. face
The front of the head (colloquial/rude).
いい面(つら)の皮(かわ)だ。
What nerve.
面(つら)の皮(かわ)が厚(あつ)い means 'thick-skinned, shameless.'
厚(あつ)かましい面(つら)をして何(なに)を言(い)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、どの面(つら)さげて来(き)たのか信(しん)じられない。
I can't believe they had the nerve to show up after causing so much trouble.
どの面(つら)さげて is a set phrase meaning 'how dare you show your face.'
2. surface, front
The outer part of something.
板(いた)の面(つら)を削(けず)る。
To shave the surface of a board.
壁(かべ)の面(つら)に合(あ)わせて棚(たな)を取(と)り付(つ)けた。
I installed the shelf flush with the wall surface.
二(ふた)つの板(いた)の面(つら)がぴったり合(あ)うように、丁寧(ていねい)に削(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.

面(つら) has two senses: (1) face (colloquial/rough), and (2) surface of a material.

SENSE 1 — FACE:
More rude than 顔(かお). Typically used in negative or aggressive contexts.

EXPRESSIONS:

  • 面(つら)の皮(かわ)が厚(あつ)い: shameless, thick-skinned
  • どの面(つら)さげて: how dare you show your face
  • いい面(つら)の皮(かわ)だ: what nerve / serves you right

SENSE 2 — SURFACE:

Refers to the outer face of a material, especially in craftsmanship and construction.

  • 板(いた)の面(つら): the surface of a board
  • 壁(かべ)の面(つら): wall surface

ALTERNATE READINGS OF 面(めん):

  • 面(めん): mask, face (in compounds like 仮面(かめん))
  • 面(おもて): front side, surface (formal)
general
Added 2026.1.9 21:55 · Revised 2026.3.26 22:07
02000/02231_tsura