面部
miàn bù · HSK 7
face
😀 面部 = 面 (face/surface) + 部 (part/section): the face region
面 means face or surface; 部 means part or section. Together 面部 is the formal anatomical term for the face area, the kind you'd read on a chart, versus plain 脸 in everyday speech.
面 — enclosure 囗 + 自 (nose/face inside)
Originally a pictograph showing a face framed by an outline, with 自 (nose) inside representing the central feature of the face. The early meaning was 'face,' which extended to 'surface,' 'side,' and 'aspect.' In simplified Chinese, 面 also absorbed 麵, adding the meaning 'flour/noodles.'
部 — 阝(邑) right + 咅 phonetic
The right-side 阝 derives from 邑 (city/settlement), giving the meaning of a region, district, or administrative division. The left side 咅 supplies the sound. Originally referring to a settlement, the meaning broadened to 'part,' 'section,' or 'ministry.'