Japanese Conversation · Level 97
60 words
Japanese word
素顔
Pronunciation
Romajisugao
Meaning
- nounbare face
Example
今日は素顔で出かけます。kyō wa su gao de de ka ke ma su
I am going out without makeup today.
More examples
長旅の後、鏡に映った素顔を見て安心しました。naga tabi no ato kagami ni utsu tta su gao o mi te an shin shi ma shi ta
After the long trip, I felt relieved when I saw my bare face in the mirror.
Core concept
Presents the face as it naturally appears when cosmetics do not cover or alter its features.
Common phrases
素顔で過ごすsu gao de su go su
spend time without makeup
素顔を見せるsu gao o mi se ru
show one's bare face
Similar words
すっぴんsuppin: A face shown without makeup, especially in casual speech.
Definition in Japanese
化粧などを施していない自然な顔。ke shō na do o hodoko shi te i na i shi zen na kao
Word origin
素顔 (sugao, "bare face") is formed from 素 (su, "unadorned") and 顔 (kao, "face"); the compound uses the voiced form gao.
Usage tips
- In Japanese, 素顔 (sugao) refers to an appearance without makeup, while English barefaced can also mean shameless, so the two expressions are not always interchangeable.