面目|めんぼくmenboku[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounface; honour; honor; reputation; prestige; dignity; credit
   ケンはその試験しけんに合格ごうかくして面目めんぼくを保たもった。↗

   Ken saved his face by passing the examination.
2. nounappearance; look

面目 denotes the honour or standing a person holds in others' eyes — 'face' in the social sense — and often appears in expressions about preserving or losing that standing.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （めんぼく、めんもく）世間せけんから受うける評価ひょうか。体面たいめん。名誉めいよ。
2. （めんぼく、めんもく）物事ものごとの様子ようす。様相ようそう。
3. （めんもく）顔かおつき。