face, expression
On'yomi (音読み)
- ガン
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
- かお
About this kanji
The kanji 「顔」, pronounced as "かお" in kun'yomi and "ガン" in on'yomi, primarily means "face" or "expression." It is often used as a noun. There are several common compounds such as 「似顔」 (にがお) which means "portrait," and 「笑顔」 (えがお) which refers to a "smiling face." Another interesting expression is 「知らん顔」 (しらんかお) that denotes feigned ignorance, while 「顔色」 (かおいろ) describes someone's complexion. This kanji is an important part of expressing emotions and identity in Japanese, and recognizing it can deepen your understanding of conversations related to feelings and appearances.
Example sentences
彼女は優しい顔をしている。
She has a gentle face.
Meanings across languages
- English
- face, expression
- Tiếng Việt
- mặt, biểu cảm
- 日本語
- 顔, 表情
- 한국어
- 얼굴, 표현
- 中文
- 脸, 表情
- id
- wajah
- th
- ใบหน้า
- es
- cara
- fr
- visage
- de
- Gesicht
- pt
- rosto
Common compounds
- 似顔にがおportrait, likeness
- 笑顔えがおsmiling face, smile
- 知らん顔しらんかおfeigned ignorance, pretending not to know, pretending not to recognize (someone)
- 横顔よこがおprofile, face in profile, face seen from the side
- 顔色かおいろcomplexion, skin tone, skin colour
- 顔面がんめんface (of person)
- 寝顔ねがおsleeping face
- 真顔まがおserious look (on one's face), straight face
Want to actually learn this kanji?
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