‘刷脸’ literally means 'to swipe/scan the face' and refers to facial recognition technology used for authentication—such as unlocking phones, entering buildings, or making payments. The verb 刷 (shuā) implies a quick, automated action like swiping a card, while 脸 (liǎn) means 'face', so together they evoke the idea of using one’s face as a credential. This term is widely used in tech, security, and daily life across China.

In informal contexts, ‘刷脸’ also carries a figurative meaning: leveraging personal connections, reputation, or social influence to gain access or favors—akin to 'using clout'. For example, someone might '刷脸' to get into an exclusive event without a ticket. Though playful, this usage reflects how digital identity concepts have entered everyday metaphor. Both senses are common in spoken and written Chinese, especially among younger generations and in urban settings.