Translation and Meaning of: 顔 - kao

If you are learning Japanese or have curiosity about the language, you may have come across the word 顔[かお]. It is one of those essential words for everyday life, appearing in conversations, animes, and even in idiomatic expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in Japan, as well as practical memorization tips and usage examples. Whether for studies or general knowledge, understanding 顔 will enrich your knowledge of the language.

The meaning and writing of 顔[かお]

The word 顔[かお] means "face" in Japanese. It is a common term in daily vocabulary, used in both formal and informal contexts. The kanji 顔 is composed of the radical 頁[おおがい], which is related to head or face, and the component 彦[ひこ], which historically had connections to appearance or nobility. This combination reinforces the meaning of the word as something related to facial expression or visual identity.

In addition to its literal meaning, 顔 can also carry cultural nuances. In Japan, expressions like "顔を出す" (to show up) or "顔が広い" (to have many connections) demonstrate how the face is associated with social presence and reputation. This means that the word goes beyond a simple physical definition, reflecting aspects of communication and human interaction.

How 顔[かお] is used in everyday Japanese

In daily life, Japanese people use 顔 in various situations. Phrases like "顔が赤い" (the face is red) describe emotions such as embarrassment, while "顔を洗う" (wash the face) is a basic action in the morning routine. The word also appears in more subjective contexts, such as "顔が立つ" (saving face), highlighting its importance in Japanese culture, where personal image is highly valued.

Another interesting use is in expressions that involve recognition. For example, "顔を覚える" (memorizing a face) is common in work or social environments. This demonstrates how 顔 is not limited to anatomy, but also to memory and identity. For Japanese learners, understanding these uses helps to apply the word more naturally.

Tips for memorizing and curiosities about 顔[かお]

An effective way to memorize 顔 is to associate the kanji with its visual structure. The radical 頁 appears in other characters related to the head, such as 頭[あたま] (head) and 額[ひたい] (forehead). This connection makes it easier to learn vocabulary grouped by themes. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, like "彼の顔は優しい" (his face is gentle), to reinforce the usage in context.

An interesting fact is that 顔 does not always refer only to humans. In some cases, it can describe the "face" of objects, as in "建物の顔" (the facade of a building). This metaphorical use demonstrates the flexibility of the Japanese language. Furthermore, 顔 is a high-frequency word, appearing in rankings of the most used , making it essential for anyone studying the language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 顔面 (Gamen) - Face, facial surface.
  • 顔貌 (Gabou) - Face appearance; facial feature.
  • 顔色 (Kaoiro) - Skin color; facial tone that can indicate emotions or health.
  • 面容 (Menyou) - Facial expression; external appearance of the face.
  • 顔つき (Kaozuki) - Facial appearance or expression; the impression that the face conveys.
  • 顔つけ (Kaotsuke) - Relationship with facial expression; the way the face is presented.

Related words

顔付き

kaotsuki

(appearance) external appearance; characteristics; face; demeanor; expression.

笑顔

egao

smiling face

甘い

amai

generous; indulgent; easy to deal with; sweet; affectionate towards; gentle with; excessively optimistic; naive.

厚かましい

atsukamashii

insolent; shameless; impudent

他人

adabito

another person; unrelated person; strange; unknown

asa

morning

赤らむ

akaramu

turn red; reddish; blush

笑い

warai

laugh;laugh;smile

笑う

warau

to laugh; to smile

若々しい

wakawakashii

youth; young

Romaji: kao
Kana: かお
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: face (person)

Meaning in English: face (person)

Definition: Face: The part of the head of a human or animal that contains the eyes, nose, mouth, etc.

Quick Access
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How to Write in Japanese - (顔) kao

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (顔) kao:

Example Sentences - (顔) kao

See below some example sentences:

無邪気な笑顔がとても可愛いです。

Mujaki na egao ga totemo kawaii desu

The innocent facial expression is very cute.

The innocent smile is very cute.

  • 無邪気な - Innocent, without malice
  • 笑顔 - smile
  • が - subject particle
  • とても - very
  • 可愛い - fofo, bonito
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
醜い顔をするな。

Minikui kao wo suru na

Don't make an ugly face.

Don't look ugly.

  • 醜い - It means "ugly" in Japanese.
  • 顔 - It means "face" in Japanese.
  • を - Object particle in Japanese.
  • する - verb "to do" in Japanese.
  • な - negation particle in Japanese.
  • . - period in Japanese.
彼女の顔付きはとても怒っていた。

Kanojo no kaozuki wa totemo okotte ita

Her look was very angry.

  • 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
  • の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
  • 顔付き (kao tsuki) - means "facial expression" in Japanese
  • は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
  • とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
  • 怒っていた (okotte ita) - verb meaning "to be angry" in the past continuous
私の顔は赤いです。

Watashi no kao wa akai desu

My face is red.

My face is red.

  • 私 - signifies "I" in Japanese
  • の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
  • 顔 - It means "face" in Japanese.
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "face"
  • 赤い - adjective that means "red"
  • です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate state or condition
彼女の顔が赤らんでいる。

Kanojo no kao ga akaran de iru

Your face is blushing.

Her face is reddish.

  • 彼女 (kanojo) - "Ela" significa "彼女" (kanojo) em japonês.
  • の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
  • 顔 (kao) - It means "face" in Japanese.
  • が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 赤らんでいる (akaran de iru) - verb that indicates that the face is turning red
彼女の笑顔が欠けている。

Kanojo no egao ga kaketeteiru

Her smile is missing.

  • 彼女 - She
  • の - Possessive particle
  • 笑顔 - smile
  • が - Subject particle
  • 欠けている - It's missing
朗らかな笑顔が素敵です。

Hogarakana egao ga suteki desu

A cheerful smile is beautiful.

The cheerful smile is wonderful.

  • 朗らかな - cheerful, lively
  • 笑顔 - smile
  • が - subject particle
  • 素敵 - beautiful, wonderful
  • です - Verb "to be" in polite form
洗面所に行って顔を洗いました。

Sennmenjo ni itte kao wo araimashita

I went to the bathroom and washed my face.

  • 洗面所 - It means "bathroom" or "restroom".
  • に - it is a particle that indicates the place where the action occurs, in this case, "in the bathroom".
  • 行って - It is the conjugation of the verb "ir" in the past, indicating that the person went to the bathroom.
  • 顔 - It means "face".
  • を - it is a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "washed the face".
  • 洗いました - it is the past form of the verb "lavar", indicating that the person washed their face.
私の顔には面皰があります。

Watashi no kao ni wa mentsu ga arimasu

I have acne on my face.

There is a face on my face.

  • 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
  • の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
  • 顔 - noun that means "face" in Japanese
  • に - particle that indicates the place where something is or happens, equivalent to "in" in Portuguese
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in Portuguese
  • 面皰 - Noun that means "spine" in Japanese
  • が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, equivalent to "the" in Portuguese
  • あります - The verb that means "to exist" in Japanese, conjugated in the affirmative present tense.

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

記事

kiji

article; news; report;

家内

kanai

wife

経路

keiro

course; route; channel

ura

reverse side; wrong side; back part; bottom surface; interior; palm; sole; opposite; rear; lining; second half (of an entry)

孤独

kodoku

isolation; loneliness; loneliness

Face