When combined, 瘦脸 (shòuliǎn) has a very direct and literal meaning: “to make the face thin.” It's an action (slimming the face) and a result (a slim face).
In modern Chinese culture, the concept of 瘦脸 is deeply tied to a dominant beauty standard: the 瓜子脸 (guāzǐliǎn), or “melon seed face.” This ideal face shape is characterized by a narrow chin, a soft jawline, and a smooth, V-like contour. It is seen as a symbol of grace, youth, and femininity. A useful comparison for a Western learner is the difference in jawline aesthetics. In many Western cultures, a strong, defined jawline and prominent cheekbones (think Angelina Jolie or Keira Knightley) are often considered beautiful and striking. In contrast, the mainstream East Asian ideal promoted by 瘦脸 culture trends away from sharp angles and towards a softer, smaller, and more delicate facial structure. This cultural preference is amplified by social media and the entertainment industry. “网红” (wǎnghóng - internet celebrities) and movie stars often showcase this V-line look, and photo editing apps like Meitu almost always include a “face slimming” filter as a primary feature. Therefore, 瘦脸 is not just a personal preference but a widespread social and aesthetic phenomenon that drives significant parts of the beauty and medical aesthetics (医美 - yīměi) industries in China.
The term 瘦脸 is ubiquitous in modern life and appears in several key contexts:
The term carries a neutral-to-positive connotation, as it represents the pursuit of a widely accepted form of beauty.