面红耳赤

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: miàn hóng ěr chì
• English Translation: To have one's face and ears turn red; to blush deeply
• Idiom Composition: 「面」（Face）＋「红」（Red）＋「耳」（Ear）＋「赤」（Red）
• Meaning: Describes the condition where the face and ears turn red due to strong emotions such as embarrassment, anger, excitement, or nervousness.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「面红耳赤」 contains the following nuances:

• Expression of strong emotions: Indicates that a person is experiencing strong emotions such as embarrassment, anger, excitement, or nervousness.
• Visual depiction: Emphasizes the intensity of a person's emotions through a clear visual image of the face and ears turning red.
• Physiological reaction: Represents a natural physiological response caused by heightened emotions.

3. Usage

「面红耳赤」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing emotions: Used to express a person's emotions.
  • Example:「他被老师批评后，面红耳赤地低下了头。」
    （After being criticized by the teacher, he blushed deeply and lowered his head.）
• Describing a situation: Used to describe a person's reaction in a certain situation.
  • Example:「听到这个突如其来的消息，她面红耳赤，不知所措。」
    （Upon hearing the sudden news, she blushed deeply and didn't know what to do.）
• Figurative expression: Can also be used figuratively to describe something intense or heated, not just emotions.
  • Example:「双方辩论得面红耳赤。」
    （Both sides argued heatedly.）

Additional Examples:

1. 辩论中，他激动得面红耳赤，声音也提高了许多。
   （During the debate, he became so excited that he blushed deeply and his voice grew louder.）
2. 面对众人的质疑，他面红耳赤地辩解着。
   （Facing everyone's questions, he blushed deeply as he defended himself.）
3. 他因为紧张，站在台上讲话时面红耳赤，显得非常不自在。
   （He was so nervous that when speaking on stage, he blushed deeply and appeared very uneasy.）
4. 第一次约会，他们都有些面红耳赤，不知道该说什么好。
   （On their first date, both of them were a bit blushing and didn't know what to say.）
5. 听到这个笑话，大家都笑得面红耳赤。
   （Hearing this joke, everyone laughed heartily, their faces flushed.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In traditional Chinese culture, changes in facial color are believed to reflect a person's inner state. The idiom '面红耳赤' is based on this cultural background.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 羞愧难当 (xiū kuì nán dāng): Extremely ashamed and unbearable.
  • 怒发冲冠 (nù fà chōng guān): So furious that one's hair stands on end.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 面不改色 (miàn bù gǎi sè): To remain calm and composed without changing facial expression.

6. Summary

'面红耳赤' is a vivid idiom that visually expresses strong emotions in a person. It covers a wide range of feelings and can be used in various situations. Using this idiom can enrich your Chinese expression.