微笑む
hohoemu[ho̞ho̞e̞mɯ̟]
In Japanese, the phrase to smile is expressed as 微笑む (hohoemu).
微笑む is used to describe forming a slight, gentle smile without opening the mouth. It is often found in literary contexts or used to describe a smile that is subtle, graceful or mysterious, rather than a hearty laugh.
Which one should you use?
While 微笑む refers specifically to a gentle, closed-mouth smile, the more common verb 笑う is used for both laughing and general smiling.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plain or informal past tense form is 微笑んだ. To describe someone who is currently in the state of smiling, you can use the continuous form 微笑んでいます.
How do you pronounce it?
hohoemu
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese etiquette, an overly wide smile showing teeth was historically viewed as lacking refinement or being too aggressive.
- A common related expression is 苦笑い, which refers to a 'bitter smile' used when someone is in an awkward or painful situation.
- The word 微笑む is a 'jukujikun' reading, meaning the kanji characters are borrowed from Chinese for their meaning but are read using a native Japanese word.
Examples in context
- 私は微笑むことが好きです。I like to smile.
- 彼女は素敵な微笑みで私を迎えた。She greeted me with a lovely smile.
- 顔を見て彼女は笑った。She smiled when she saw my face.
- 彼女は優しく微笑む。Kanojo wa yasashiku hohoemu.She smiles gently.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are looking at a photo of their baby.
- 大翔 Hiroto赤ちゃんが微笑んでいるよ。Akachan ga hohoende iru yo.The baby is smiling.
- 美咲 Misaki本当だね。とてもかわいい。Honto da ne. Totemo kawaii.You're right. It's so cute.
- 大翔 Hiroto誰に似て微笑むのかな。Dare ni nite hohoemu no kana.I wonder who the baby takes after when smiling.
- 美咲 Misakiきっとあなたに似ているよ。Kitto anata ni nite iru yo.I'm sure the baby takes after you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 微笑む, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 微笑む, CC BY-SA 4.0.
