Japanese word

笑顔

Pronunciation

Romajiegao

Meaning

  • nounsmile

Example

その子の笑顔が好きです。so no ko no e gao ga su ki de su

I like that child's smile.

Illustration for 笑顔 (smile)

More examples

妹の笑顔がかわいいです。imōto no e gao ga ka wa i i de su

My little sister's smile is cute.

その写真を見ると、自然に笑顔になります。so no sha shin o mi ru to shi zen ni e gao ni na ri ma su

I naturally smile when I look at that photo.

Core concept

Describes the visible expression of happiness or friendliness on a person's face.

Common phrases

  • 笑顔を見せるe gao o mi se ru

    show a smile

  • 笑顔になるe gao ni na ru

    start smiling

  • 笑顔で話すe gao de hana su

    talk with a smile

Similar words

微笑みhohoemi: A soft, often slight smile that expresses quiet pleasure or warmth.
笑い顔waraigao: A facial expression that appears when a person smiles.

Definition in Japanese

喜びや親しみを表している人の顔つき。yoroko bi ya shita shi mi o arawa shi te i ru hito no kao tsu ki

Word origin

The native Japanese compound combines 笑 (e, "smile or laughter") with 顔 (kao, "face"), giving the sense of a face marked by smiling.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English smile, 笑顔 (egao) is a noun for a smiling facial expression, while 笑う (warau, "to laugh or smile") usually supplies the verb.

Other meanings

  • smiling facenoun

Word lists with this word