笑顔
egao[e̞ɡa̠o̞]
The English phrase "happy face" can be translated into Japanese as 笑顔 (egao).
笑顔 is used to describe the actual expression of a smile on someone's face, rather than just the abstract feeling of happiness. It is a popular word used to refer to a smile.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 笑顔 is a compound of the kanji for smile and the kanji for face.
Did you know?
- In some Japanese social contexts, a 笑顔 can be used to mask embarrassment, anger or sadness to avoid burdening others with negative emotions.
- Japanese has a specific term 作り笑顔 (tsukuri egao) for a 'made smile', referring to a fake or forced 笑顔 used to maintain social harmony.
- While English speakers might say 'wear a smile', Japanese speakers often describe a smile as something that 'blooms' on the face. This connects the expression of a smile to the imagery of a flower opening.
Examples in context
- 私は嬉しそうな顔でニュースを聞きました。I listened to the news with a happy face.
- 彼女は微笑みながら挨拶しました。She greeted with a smile.
- 彼はにっこり笑顔で返事をしました。He replied with a smiling face.
- 友達の幸せそうな顔を見ると、私も幸せな気持ちになります。Seeing the happy face of my friend makes me feel happy too.
- 彼女はいつも素敵な笑顔をしている。Kanojo wa itsumo suteki na egao o shite iru.She always has a lovely happy face.
- 子供の笑顔を見ると、幸せな気持ちになります。Kodomo no egao o miru to, shiawase na kimochi ni narimasu.Seeing a child's happy face makes me feel happy.
- もっと笑顔で話してください。Motto egao de hanashite kudasai.Please speak with a happier face.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a photo album together.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの写真の陽葵、すごくいい笑顔だね。Kono shashin no Himari, sugoku ii egao da ne.Himari, you have such a great happy face in this photo.
- 陽葵 Himari本当？大翔にそう言ってもらえると嬉しい。Honto? Hiroto ni sou itte moraeru to ureshii.Really? I'm happy to hear that from you, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto自然な笑顔がとても似合っているよ。Shizen na egao ga totemo niatte iru yo.A natural happy face suits you very well.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。これからも笑顔を忘れないようにするね。Arigatou. Kore kara mo egao o wasurenai you ni suru ne.Thank you. I will try not to forget to smile from now on.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 笑顔, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
