顎鬚
agohige[a̠ɡo̞çiɡe̞]
The Japanese word for beard is 顎鬚 (agohige). It is also spelled 顎髭 (agohige). Wiktionary also lists 鬚 (hige).
Meaning: facial hair (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 顎鬚 | agohige | [a̠ɡo̞çiɡe̞] (narrow) | |
| 顎髭 | agohige | alternative form | |
| 鬚 | hige |
The term 顎鬚 refers specifically to hair on the chin. However, the most common and widely understood term for beard in Japan is 髭.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 顎鬚 is composed of 顎 (ago), meaning chin and 鬚 (hige), meaning beard or whiskers.
Which one should you use?
While 顎鬚 specifically refers to a beard on the chin, the more general term 髭 can refer to any facial hair, including mustaches.
How do you pronounce it?
agohige
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese theater, specifically Kabuki, the type of 髭 an actor wears tells the audience the character's social status and personality.
- Japanese has a specific term 青髭 which means 'blue beard'. This describes the bluish tint of skin where a beard has been shaved but the hair is still visible.
- In Japanese, the word 髭 (hige) is also the standard term used for animal whiskers, such as those on a cat or an otter.
Examples in context
- トムの顎髭はジョンのより長い。Tom has a longer beard than John does.Tatoeba #2087157 by bunbuku, translation #1960922 by CK
- 彼は立派な顎鬚を蓄えている。Kare wa rippa na agohige o takuwaete iru.He has a magnificent beard.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about Kenta's new look.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、顎鬚を伸ばしたんですね。Kenta-san, agohige o nobashitan desu ne.Kenta, you've grown a beard, haven't you?
- 健太 Kentaはい、気分を変えたかったんです。hai, kibun o kaetakattan desu.Yes, I wanted a change of pace.
- 美咲 Misaki似合っていますよ。niatte imasu yo.It suits you.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beard” translations and entries 顎鬚, 顎髭, 鬚, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
