看
kàn
To look, to watch, to read
看在 (kàn zài) — for someone's sake
看在 (kàn zài) + Person/Relationship + 的面子上 (de miànzi shang)
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
看在Who的面子上，Action
Rule structure
The fixed colloquial pattern 看在 (kàn zài)X的面子上 (de miàn zǐ shàng) is used when asking someone to yield or when explaining a concession for the sake of someone's feelings or reputation. X is usually a person (him, the teacher, a friend) or a relationship (friendship). It sounds gentle and often introduces a request or justification.
Rule structure
The fixed colloquial pattern 看在 (kàn zài)X的面子上 (de miàn zǐ shàng) is used when asking someone to yield or when explaining a concession for the sake of someone's feelings or reputation. X is usually a person (him, the teacher, a friend) or a relationship (friendship). It sounds gentle and often introduces a request or justification.
Examples
看在他的面子上，这次就算了吧。
Kàn zài tā de miànzi shang, zhè cì jiù suàn le ba.
For his sake, let’s let it go this time.
Examples
看在他的面子上，这次就算了吧。
Kàn zài tā de miànzi shang, zhè cì jiù suàn le ba.
For his sake, let’s let it go this time.
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Words from this rule
在
zài
To be at/in, to exist
的
de
Possessive particle; modifier particle
面子
miàn zi
Face, prestige, reputation
上
shàng
On, above
他
tā
He
这
zhè
This
次
cì
Time (classifier for events, actions); next
就算
jiù suàn
Even if
了
le
Particle (completed action or change of state)
吧
ba
(particle expressing suggestion, guess, etc.)
算了
suàn le
Forget it, never mind, let it go
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “for someone's sake” in Chinese with 看在?
Use the structure: 看在 (kàn zài) + Person/Relationship + 的面子上 (de miànzi shang). For example: 看在他的面子上，这次就算了吧。 — “For his sake, let’s let it go this time”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
看在他的面子上，这次就算了吧。 — “For his sake, let’s let it go this time”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B