How to Say "Cheeks" in Japanese

頬

hoho[ho̞ho̞]

The English phrase "cheeks" is translated into Japanese as 頬 (hoho).

頬 refers to the soft parts of the face located on either side of the nose.

How do you pronounce it?

The romanization is hoho.

The word 頬 is historically linked to the concept of a 'lineup' or a 'string of things'. It originally referred to the side of a row, which eventually evolved to describe the side of a human face.
While 頬 describes the cheeks, Japanese often uses the word 頬張り 'hohobari' to describe the act of stuffing one's mouth with food until the cheeks bulge.
In Japanese culture, 'red cheeks' are often associated with the word 照れる 'tereru', describing the specific kind of blushing caused by shyness or embarrassment.

頬にキスしたいな。
I'd like to kiss your cheeks.
This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to kiss someone's 頬.
Tatoeba #10616301 by small_snow, translation #10616226 by DJ_Saidez
彼の頬は真っ赤だった。
His cheeks were bright red.
This sentence is useful for describing someone's 頬 being bright red.
Tatoeba #9158838 by small_snow, translation #2207218 by Hybrid
涙が彼女の頬を伝った。
Tears trickled down her cheeks.
This sentence is useful for describing tears moving down someone's 頬.
Tatoeba #10517500 by small_snow, translation #325982 by CS
20 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two siblings are talking about the cold weather.

陽葵 Himari

陽太、頬が赤くなってるよ。
Yōta, hoho ga akaku natteru yo.
Yōta, your cheeks are turning red.
陽太 Yota

外がすごく寒いからかな。
Soto ga sugoku samui kara kana.
Maybe it's because it's very cold outside.
陽葵 Himari

冷たい風が頬に当たって痛いね。
Tsumetai kaze ga hoho ni atatte itai ne.
The cold wind hurts my cheeks.
陽太 Yota

早く家に入ろう。
Hayaku ie ni hairō.
Let's go inside the house quickly.

Sources

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