noun
Protective gear worn over the face, especially in sports like kendo or baseball.
In kendo, you wear a face mask.
noun
striking the head (in kendo)
A valid strike to the opponent's head in kendo; also used as a call when executing the strike.
試合で面を決めた。
He scored a head strike in the match.
noun
Used in mathematics and technical contexts for a two-dimensional surface.
立方体には六つの面がある。
A cube has six faces.
noun
Refers to a page of a book or document, often used in formal or technical contexts.
次の面を開いてください。
Please turn to the next page.
noun, suffix
Used to describe a particular aspect or side of something, often in compound words or as a suffix.
彼の性格には明るい面と暗い面がある。
His personality has a bright side and a dark side.
noun, suffix
chamfer
Technical term for a beveled edge, used in engineering and woodworking.
この部品の面取りをしてください。
Please chamfer this part.
counter
counter for flat objects, levels, or stages
Used to count broad, flat items like mirrors or boards, or levels/stages in games.
鏡を二面買った。
I bought two mirrors.
このゲームは全部で五面ある。
This game has five stages in total.
表面 specifically means 'surface' or 'exterior' and is more common than 面 for physical surfaces.
The kanji 面 originally depicted an eye surrounded by a facial outline, representing the face. The reading めん comes from Middle Chinese.