面嘱 is a formal verb meaning 'to instruct face-to-face'—emphasizing direct, in-person communication rather than written or remote instruction. The character 面 (miàn) means 'face' or 'in person,' while 嘱 (zhǔ) means 'to instruct,' 'to entrust,' or 'to urge.' Together, they convey the nuance of giving important guidance or directions during a personal meeting, often implying seriousness, responsibility, or urgency.

This term is commonly used in professional and institutional contexts—especially in healthcare, education, and government—where accountability and clarity matter. It frequently appears in official records, medical notes, or formal reports to indicate that instructions were delivered directly to the recipient. While grammatically a verb, 面嘱 can function as a past-tense verb phrase (e.g., 医生面嘱患者...) and rarely appears in casual speech; it carries a respectful, slightly bureaucratic tone.