Meaning and Usage
"丢人" literally means "to lose a person" but idiomatically it means "to lose face" or "to be embarrassed". It is commonly used to describe situations where someone feels ashamed or humiliated in front of others.
Common Contexts
This phrase is often used in social or professional settings when someone makes a mistake or behaves in a way that damages their reputation.
Collocations and Patterns
- 丢人现眼 (diū rén xiàn yǎn): to lose face publicly, to be disgraceful
- 不丢人 (bù diū rén): not losing face, maintaining dignity
Usage Notes
"丢人" is informal and often used in spoken Chinese. It carries a negative connotation and implies a loss of respect or dignity. It is different from "害羞" (shy) because "丢人" focuses on social embarrassment or shame rather than personal timidity.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "丢人" with "丢失" (to lose something physically). "丢人" is about social reputation, not losing objects.