1.
face
The front of the head (colloquial/rude).
いい面の皮だ。
What nerve.
面の皮が厚い means 'thick-skinned, shameless.'
厚かましい面をして何を言っているんだ。
How can you say that with such a shameless face?
あれだけ迷惑をかけておいて、どの面さげて来たのか信じられない。
I can't believe they had the nerve to show up after causing so much trouble.
どの面さげて is a set phrase meaning 'how dare you show your face.'
2.
surface, front
The outer part of something.
板の面を削る。
To shave the surface of a board.
壁の面に合わせて棚を取り付けた。
I installed the shelf flush with the wall surface.
二つの板の面がぴったり合うように、丁寧に削って仕上げた。
I carefully shaved and finished it so the surfaces of the two boards would fit perfectly.
面 is a colloquial/rough word for face.
USAGE:
More rude than 顔. Often used in negative contexts.
EXPRESSIONS:
- 面の皮が厚い: shameless, thick-skinned
- どの面さげて: how dare you
ALTERNATE READINGS:
- 面: mask, face (in compounds)
- 面: surface, front