在外人面前我给足了你面子
“I've given you face in front of others,”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
在外人面前我给足了你面子
“I've given you face in front of others,”
“but let's stop making each other miserable here.”
“I did my part by protecting your public image, so back off and stop testing my patience.”
Upholding someone's 'face' in front of outsiders is a critical social contract in Chinese interpersonal relationships, often contrasted sharply with private conduct behind closed doors.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
give plenty of face; show utmost respect publicly
Use this phrase to emphasize that you went out of your way to uphold someone's social dignity or prestige.
in front of outsiders
A common locational phrase used to distinguish between public decorum and private domestic realities.
Functions as an aspect marker indicating the completed action of granting full public respect.
