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