Japanese word

絵文字

Pronunciation

Romajiemoji

Meaning

  • nounemoji

Example

メッセージに絵文字を一つ入れます。me ssē ji ni e moji o hito tsu i re ma su

I add one emoji to the message.

Illustration for 絵文字 (emoji)

More examples

短い返事でも絵文字があると親しみやすくなります。mijika i hen ji de mo e moji ga a ru to shita shi mi ya su ku na ri ma su

Even a short reply feels friendlier with an emoji.

Core concept

Acts as a small visual character that adds emotion, tone, or a concrete idea to written communication.

Common phrases

  • 絵文字を使うe moji o tsuka u

    use emojis

  • 絵文字を送るe moji o oku ru

    send an emoji

  • 絵文字を入れるe moji o i re ru

    add an emoji

  • 絵文字を組み合わせるe moji o ku mi a wa se ru

    combine emojis

Definition in Japanese

文章やメッセージなどに添えて感情や内容を伝える小さな絵の記号。bun shō ya me ssē ji na do ni so e te kan jō ya nai yō o tsuta e ru chii sa na e no ki gō

Word origin

The Japanese word 絵文字 (emoji, "picture character") combines 絵 (e, "picture") and 文字 (moji, "character"), and English borrowed emoji from this compound.

Usage tips

  • The same emoji can look different across platforms because each platform draws its own version, so its tone may not be identical everywhere.

Word lists with this word