← IDIOMS · TIME
HSK 7-9
miànfaceappearancequánentirelyfēinot
Changed beyond recognition; completely transformed.

Literal meaning

face (面) — appearance (目) — entirely (全) — not (非)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase describing a drastic change in appearance or condition.

Examples

shíniánguòlejiāxiāngjīngbiàndemiànquánfēi
Ten years have passed, and my hometown has changed beyond recognition.
jīngguòzhègǎigōngjīngmiànquánfēi
After this reform, the company has been completely transformed.

Usage & nuances

Used to describe significant and often negative changes.

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