顔
face · expression
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of prince (彦) and head (頁). Front of head, face.
Symbolism
Face, honor, expression. Represents social dignity in 'save face'.
Component Breakdown
彦 + head
Words & Expressions
Words written with 顔
Four-Character Compounds
厚顔無恥
こうがんむち
shameless; brazen and unscrupulous
破顔一笑
はがんいっしょう
smiling broadly
破顔大笑
はがんたいしょう
breaking into a hearty laugh
顔面蒼白
がんめんそうはく
one's face turning pale (ashen); the color being drained from one's face
紅顔可憐
こうがんかれん
youthful and endearing; rosy-cheeked and sweet
和顔愛語
わがんあいご
with a gentle face and a nice word
Proverbs & Idioms
顔に泥を塗る
かおにどろをぬる
To smear mud on someone's face
To disgrace someone
Poetry
嘆けとて 月やは物を 思はする かこち顔なる わが涙かな
Is it the moon that tells me to grieve? No. And yet my tears run as though I could blame it.
Anime & Manga
顔だけじゃ好きになりません
It Takes More than a Pretty Face to Fall in Love
A well-known work with 顔 in its Japanese title.
顔に出ない柏田さんと顔に出る太田君
Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota
A well-known work with 顔 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 顔 mean in Japanese?
顔 means face, expression.
How do you read 顔?
On'yomi: ガン (GAN). Kun'yomi: かお (kao).
How many strokes does 顔 have?
顔 has 18 strokes. Its radical is 頁 (page).
Is 顔 a good kanji for a tattoo?
顔 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means face, expression. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:face · expression