顔
face · expression
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
彦 + head
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of prince (彦) and head (頁). Front of head, face.
Symbolism
Face, honor, expression. Represents social dignity in 'save face'.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
厚顔無恥
こうがんむち
shameless; brazen and unscrupulous; shameless
破顔一笑
はがんいっしょう
smiling broadly; smiling broadly
破顔大笑
はがんたいしょう
breaking into a hearty laugh; 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; one's face turning pale (ashen)
紅顔可憐
こうがんかれん
youthful and endearing; rosy-cheeked and sweet; youthful and endearing
和顔愛語
わがんあいご
with a gentle face and a nice word; 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
Poem #86 from Hyakunin Isshu
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?
Yes. 顔 (face, expression) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for face · kanji for expression