Japanese word

ほくろ

Pronunciation

Romajihokuro

Meaning

  • nounmole

Example

顔にほくろがあります。kao ni ho ku ro ga a ri ma su

I have a mole on my face.

Illustration for ほくろ (mole)

More examples

夏になると、腕のほくろが目立ちます。natsu ni na ru to ude no ho ku ro ga me da chi ma su

In summer, the mole on my arm becomes more noticeable.

Core concept

Marks a small, usually dark spot on the skin, especially one noticed as a feature of the face.

Common phrases

  • 大きなほくろō ki na ho ku ro

    a large mole

  • 顔のほくろkao no ho ku ro

    a facial mole

  • ほくろを取るho ku ro o to ru

    remove a mole

Definition in Japanese

皮膚に生じる小さく黒い斑点や盛り上がり。hi fu ni shō ji ru chii sa ku kuro i han ten ya mo ri a ga ri

Word origin

The Japanese noun ほくろ (hokuro) is traditionally written 黒子 (hokuro); this spelling uses 黒 (kuro, "black") and 子 (ko, "child"), but the exact origin of the spoken form is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • English uses mole for both a skin mark and a small burrowing animal, while beauty mark emphasizes that the mark is viewed as attractive.

Other meanings

  • beauty marknoun

Word lists with this word