ひげ

ひげ is a general term for facial hair — it covers beards, mustaches, and whiskers without distinguishing between them. More specific kanji exist for each type.

TYPES (by kanji):

• 髭(ひげ): mustache (above the lip)
• 鬚(ひげ): beard (chin and jaw)
• 髯(ひげ): sideburns, cheek whiskers

In practice, hiragana ひげ is most common and covers all types.

Common collocations

• ひげを剃(そ)る: to shave
• ひげを生(は)やす: to grow a beard/mustache
• ひげを伸(の)ばす: to let one's beard grow
• ひげが濃(こ)い: to have thick facial hair
• ひげが薄(うす)い: to have thin facial hair

USAGE (animals):
For cats and other animals, ひげ means 'whiskers.' 猫(ねこ)のひげ (cat's whiskers) is a common usage.