顔(かお)を立(た)てる

かおをたてる

expression

to save someone's face; to show respect for someone's position or reputation

1. to save someone's face; to show deference to someone's position, honor, or reputation

To act in a way that preserves another person's dignity, reputation, or authority, especially in social or professional situations where embarrassment could occur.

先輩(せんぱい)の顔(かお)を立(た)てて引(ひ)き受(う)けた。

I accepted in order to show respect for my senior.

ここは社長(しゃちょう)の顔(かお)を立(た)てておこう。

Let's defer to the company president here.

両方(りょうほう)の顔(かお)を立(た)てるのは難(むずか)しいが、うまく調整(ちょうせい)するしかない。

It's hard to save face for both sides, but we have no choice but to work out a compromise.

Part of the extensive 顔(かお) idiom family in Japanese. 顔(かお) here represents reputation, honor, and social standing. This expression is essential for understanding Japanese business culture and social dynamics, where maintaining hierarchical relationships and avoiding public embarrassment are highly valued.

The person whose face is being saved is marked with の.

Common patterns

〜の顔(かお)を立(た)てる: to save ~'s face
両方(りょうほう)の顔(かお)を立(た)てる: to show respect to both sides
顔(かお)を立(た)てておく: to defer to someone (for the time being)

RELATED 顔(かお) EXPRESSIONS:

顔(かお)を潰(つぶ)す: to make someone lose face — the opposite
顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い: to know many people; to be well-connected
顔(かお)を出(だ)す: to show up; to make an appearance

Similar words

面目(めんぼく)を保(たも)つ: to maintain one's dignity — more formal; used for preserving one's own honor
配慮(はいりょ)する: to show consideration — broader; not limited to saving face

Related Words

Related: 顔(かお)を出(だ)す (to show up (another 顔 idiom))

Related: 顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い (to know many people)

Compare: 配慮(はいりょ)する (to show consideration)

general

Added 2026.4.28 0:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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