liǎnpí hòu: 脸皮厚 - Thick-skinned, Shameless, Brazen

• Keywords: lianpi hou meaning, 脸皮厚 English, Chinese thick skinned, what does lian pi hou mean, shameless in Chinese, brazen Chinese, how to say thick skinned in Mandarin, Chinese face culture, mianzi
• Summary: Learn the meaning of the essential Chinese phrase 脸皮厚 (liǎnpí hòu), which literally translates to “face skin thick.” This page breaks down how “lianpi hou” is used to describe someone who is thick-skinned, shameless, or brazen, especially in situations where they ignore social etiquette or criticism for personal gain. We'll explore its deep connection to the cultural concept of “face” (面子, miànzi) and provide numerous practical examples to help you master this common, yet powerful, expression.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): liǎnpí hòu
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To be thick-skinned, shameless, and impervious to criticism or social embarrassment.
• In a Nutshell: Literally meaning “face-skin-thick,” 脸皮厚 (liǎnpí hòu) is a vivid term for someone who doesn't get embarrassed when they should. They might ask for unreasonable favors, persist after being rejected, or act in self-serving ways without any sense of shame. It's almost always used as a negative criticism, implying a lack of social awareness and respect for others.

• 脸 (liǎn): Face. This refers not just to the physical face, but also to one's reputation and social standing, a concept known as 面子 (miànzi).
• 皮 (pí): Skin, hide, or leather.
• 厚 (hòu): Thick.
• The characters combine to form a powerful metaphor: someone's “face skin” is so thick that shame, criticism, and embarrassment cannot penetrate it. They are emotionally and socially immune to things that would make most people “lose face.”

The true meaning of 脸皮厚 (liǎnpí hòu) is inseparable from the Chinese cultural concept of 面子 (miànzi), or “face.” In Chinese culture, “face” represents a person's honor, reputation, and social standing. Maintaining one's own face and giving face to others is crucial for social harmony. Actions are often judged by whether they cause someone to “lose face” (丢脸, diūliǎn). A person described as 脸皮厚 is someone who flagrantly disregards this entire social system. They act in ways that should cause immense shame and loss of face, yet they remain completely unfazed. Comparison to Western Culture: The English phrase “thick-skinned” is a close equivalent, but there's a key difference in connotation. In English, being “thick-skinned” can be a positive or necessary survival trait, especially for public figures or professionals who face constant criticism (e.g., “A politician needs to be thick-skinned”). In Chinese, 脸皮厚 is overwhelmingly negative. It's not about resilience; it's about a shameless lack of character. Calling someone `脸皮厚` is a direct insult to their moral and social integrity.

脸皮厚 is a very common, informal expression used in daily conversation.

• Criticizing Pushy Behavior: It's often used to describe pushy salespeople, people who cut in line, or colleagues who shamelessly take credit for others' work.
• Social Interactions: It can describe someone who crashes a party, asks for an unreasonable favor, or overstays their welcome.
• Dating and Relationships: A person who relentlessly pursues someone who has clearly and repeatedly rejected them would be described as `脸皮厚`.
• Self-Deprecating Humor: In rare cases, among very close friends, you can use it on yourself to soften a potentially embarrassing request. By acknowledging your action is `脸皮厚`, you show self-awareness and can make the request with a bit of humor. For example: “我要脸皮厚一点问你，可以借我点钱吗？” (Wǒ yào liǎnpí hòu yīdiǎn wèn nǐ, kěyǐ jiè wǒ diǎn qián ma?) - “I'm going to be a bit shameless and ask, can I borrow some money?”

• Example 1:
  • 他被老板骂了还笑嘻嘻的，脸皮厚得像城墙。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi lǎobǎn mà le hái xīxī de, liǎnpí hòu de xiàng chéngqiáng.
  • English: He was still grinning after being scolded by the boss; his skin is as thick as a city wall.
  • Analysis: This example uses a common simile “像城墙” (xiàng chéngqiáng - like a city wall) to emphasize the extreme degree of his shamelessness. It's a strong criticism of his lack of reaction to being reprimanded.
• Example 2:
  • 你怎么好意思让他请客？你真是脸皮厚！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme hǎoyìsi ràng tā qǐngkè? Nǐ zhēnshi liǎnpí hòu!
  • English: How could you have the nerve to let him pay? You're really shameless!
  • Analysis: This is a direct accusation. The speaker is shaming the listener for taking advantage of someone else's generosity. The phrase “你好意思” (nǐ hǎoyìsi - you have the nerve) is often used in situations related to `脸皮厚`.
• Example 3:
  • 那个销售员太脸皮厚了，我说了十次不买，他还一直跟着我。
  • Pinyin: Nàge xiāoshòuyuán tài liǎnpí hòu le, wǒ shuōle shí cì bù mǎi, tā hái yīzhí gēnzhe wǒ.
  • English: That salesman is so thick-skinned. I told him ten times I wasn't buying, but he kept following me.
  • Analysis: This describes a classic scenario of pushy behavior. The person is ignoring clear social cues (rejection) for personal gain (making a sale).
• Example 4:
  • 追女孩就是要脸皮厚一点，不要怕被拒绝。
  • Pinyin: Zhuī nǚhái jiùshì yào liǎnpí hòu yīdiǎn, bùyào pà bèi jùjué.
  • English: To pursue a girl, you just have to be a bit more thick-skinned and not be afraid of rejection.
  • Analysis: This is one of the few contexts where `脸皮厚` can have a slightly less negative, or even neutral, connotation. It's framed as a necessary (though not necessarily admirable) strategy for overcoming shyness in dating.
• Example 5:
  • 他借了钱从来不还，还敢再来借，脸皮厚到家了。
  • Pinyin: Tā jiè le qián cónglái bù huán, hái gǎn zàilái jiè, liǎnpí hòu dào jiā le.
  • English: He never pays back money he borrows, and he still dares to ask for more. He's shameless to the extreme.
  • Analysis: The phrase “到家了” (dào jiā le) is an intensifier meaning “to the utmost” or “to the extreme.” This is a very strong condemnation of someone's character.
• Example 6:
  • 我得脸皮厚一点，去问问邻居能不能借我个梯子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ děi liǎnpí hòu yīdiǎn, qù wènwen línjū néng bu néng jiè wǒ ge tīzi.
  • English: I'll have to be a bit brazen and go ask my neighbor if I can borrow a ladder.
  • Analysis: A good example of self-deprecation. The speaker is acknowledging that asking for favors can be imposing, so they use `脸皮厚` to show awareness and soften the request.
• Example 7:
  • 没想到他脸皮这么厚，把我的功劳全说成是他的。
  • Pinyin: Méi xiǎngdào tā liǎnpí zhème hòu, bǎ wǒ de gōngláo quán shuō chéng shì tā de.
  • English: I can't believe he's so shameless that he claimed all my credit as his own.
  • Analysis: Note the structure `脸皮 (subject) + 这么 (so) + 厚 (adjective)`. This highlights the shamelessness of taking credit for someone else's work, a serious violation of workplace etiquette.
• Example 8:
  • 在公共场合大声喧哗的人，脸皮都厚。
  • Pinyin: Zài gōnggòng chǎnghé dàshēng xuānhuá de rén, liǎnpí dōu hòu.
  • English: People who make a lot of noise in public are all thick-skinned.
  • Analysis: This sentence makes a general statement, linking the trait of being `脸皮厚` to a specific type of socially unacceptable behavior.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你不够脸皮厚，你是做不成这个生意的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bùgòu liǎnpí hòu, nǐ shì zuò bu chéng zhège shēngyì de.
  • English: If you're not thick-skinned enough, you won't be able to succeed in this business.
  • Analysis: Similar to Example 4, this treats `脸皮厚` as a necessary, if slightly unsavory, quality for success in a competitive or cutthroat business environment. It implies a need to ignore rejection and perhaps bend some rules.
• Example 10:
  • A: 他又来找你了？ B: 是啊，我真不知道一个人的脸皮可以厚到什么程度。
  • Pinyin: A: Tā yòu lái zhǎo nǐ le? B: Shì a, wǒ zhēn bù zhīdào yīgè rén de liǎnpí kěyǐ hòu dào shénme chéngdù.
  • English: A: He came looking for you again? B: Yeah, I really don't know how shameless a person can be.
  • Analysis: A conversational exchange expressing exasperation. The second speaker uses a rhetorical question to emphasize their disbelief at the person's persistence and utter lack of shame.

• Don't Confuse with “Confident” or “Brave”: A common mistake for learners is to equate `脸皮厚` with being confident (自信, zìxìn) or brave (勇敢, yǒnggǎn). Confidence is a positive trait of self-belief. Being `脸皮厚` is a negative trait of disregarding social norms and others' feelings for one's own benefit.
• It's an Insult, Not a Compliment: Calling someone `脸皮厚` to their face is a direct insult. While the English “thick-skinned” can sometimes be praise for resilience, `脸皮厚` never is.
  • Incorrect Usage: `你被批评了还能继续工作，你真脸皮厚！` (Nǐ bèi pīpíng le hái néng jìxù gōngzuò, nǐ zhēn liǎnpí hòu!) - *“You can continue working after being criticized, you're so thick-skinned!”* This sounds like you are calling them a shameless person.
  • Correct Way to Praise: `你真坚强！` (Nǐ zhēn jiānqiáng!) - *“You're so strong/resilient!”*

• 面子 (miànzi) - The core cultural concept of “face,” social standing, and honor, which a `脸皮厚` person disregards.
• 丢脸 (diūliǎn) - To lose face. The opposite of what a `脸皮厚` person feels. They are immune to losing face.
• 不要脸 (bú yào liǎn) - “To not want face.” A much stronger and more direct insult, meaning utterly shameless and despicable. `脸皮厚` describes the trait; `不要脸` is often a direct, angry accusation.
• 厚脸皮 (hòu liǎnpí) - A direct synonym, with the characters swapped. It can also function more like a noun, e.g., `他是个厚脸皮` (tā shì ge hòu liǎnpí) - “He is a shameless person.”
• 无耻 (wúchǐ) - A more formal or literary word for “shameless” or “brazen.”
• 好意思 (hǎoyìsi) - “To have the nerve to,” “to not be embarrassed to.” It's often used in rhetorical questions to challenge someone's shameless behavior, e.g., `你好意思吗？` (Nǐ hǎoyìsi ma?) - “Have you no shame?” A person who is `脸皮厚` does not have this sense of embarrassment.