Japanese word

微笑む

Pronunciation

Romajihohoemu

Meaning

  • verbsmile

Example

母はいつも微笑みます。haha wa i tsu mo hohoe mi ma su

My mother always smiles.

Illustration for 微笑む (smile)

More examples

友達は私を見て微笑みます。tomo dachi wa watashi o mi te hohoe mi ma su

My friend smiles at me.

彼女は写真を見て微笑みました。kano jo wa sha shin o mi te hohoe mi ma shi ta

She smiled when she saw the picture.

Core concept

Describes showing a quiet, gentle smile through one's facial expression.

Common phrases

  • 穏やかに微笑むoda ya ka ni hohoe mu

    smile calmly

  • やさしく微笑むya sa shi ku hohoe mu

    smile gently

  • にっこり微笑むni kko ri hohoe mu

    smile brightly

Similar words

笑うwarau: To show amusement or happiness with a smile, laughter, or both.
にっこりするnikkorisuru: To give a bright, pleasant smile with a cheerful facial expression.

Definition in Japanese

声を立てず、口元や表情を穏やかにゆるめて笑う。koe o ta te zu kuchi moto ya hyō jō o oda ya ka ni yu ru me te wara u

Word origin

微笑む (hohoemu) is a native Japanese verb formed from ほほ (hoho, "cheek") and えむ (emu, "to smile"), with 微笑む used as its established kanji spelling.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 微笑む (hohoemu) is an intransitive verb, so it describes someone smiling without taking a direct object.

Related words

  • 微笑みhohoemismilenoun
  • 微笑ましいhohoemashiiheartwarmingi-adjective

Word lists with this word