しかめ面
shikametsura
The English word "grimace" is translated into Japanese as しかめ面 (shikametsura).
The noun しかめ面 refers to a distortion of the face. To describe the actual action of making a grimace or knitting one's brows, you can use the verb 顰める.
Meaning: a distortion of the face (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun しかめ面 is composed of しかめ, which is the stem of the verb しかめる meaning "to frown" or "to knit one's brows" and 面, which means "face".
Which one should you use?
While しかめ面 is used, you may also see the synonym しかめ顔. The difference is that the latter replaces the kanji for face/surface with the kanji for face.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form 顰める is the base form used to describe the action of knitting one's brows or making a grimace.
How do you pronounce it?
shikametsura
Did you know?
- The kanji used in しかめ面 for 'face', which is 面, is the same character used for the iconic masks in 'Noh' theatre. These masks are designed to change expression from a smile to a grimace depending on how the actor tilts their head.
- In Japanese culture, making a しかめ面 is viewed as a failure of tatemae, the social facade used to hide one's true feelings from the public.
- The verb 顰める can describe wrinkling the nose, which in Japanese typically signifies a feeling of disgust or strong dislike.
Examples in context
- 彼は痛みに顔をゆがめた。He grimaced in pain.
- 子供がその食べ物を食べようとしたら、しかめっ面をした。The child made a grimace when trying to eat that food.
- 彼は苦い薬を飲んでしかめ面をした。Kare wa nigai kusuri o nonde shikamemen o shita.He made a grimace after drinking the bitter medicine.
- 酸っぱいものを食べた時のしかめ面は面白い。Suppai mono o tabeta toki no shikamemen wa omoshiroi.The grimace made when eating something sour is funny.
- そんなしかめ面をしないでください。Sonna shikamemen o shinaide kudasai.Please don't make such a grimace.
Example conversation
Misaki sees Kenta tasting something very sour.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、ひどいしかめ面をしているよ！Kenta, hidoi shikamezura o shite iru yo!Kenta, you have a terrible grimace!
- 健太 Kentaこのレモン、本当に酸っぱいよ。Kono remon, hontou ni suppai yo.This lemon is really sour.
- 美咲 Misakiそんなしかめ面をしないで。Sonna shikamezura o shinaide.Don't make such a grimace.
- 健太 Kenta無理だよ。本当に酸っぱいから。Muri dayo. Hontou ni suppai kara.I can't. Because it's really sour.
