笑 顔(えがお)

えがお

noun

smiling face, smile

emotion

1. smiling face, smile

A facial expression showing happiness.

彼女(かのじょ)は笑顔(えがお)が素敵(すてき)だ。

She has a lovely smile.

笑顔(えがお)で挨拶(あいさつ)する。

To greet with a smile.

笑顔(えがお)を絶(た)やさない。

To never stop smiling.

赤(あか)ちゃんの笑顔(えがお)はかわいい。

A baby's smile is cute.

疲(つか)れていても、笑顔(えがお)でお客(きゃく)さんを迎(むか)える。

Even when tired, she greets customers with a smile.

笑顔(えがお) refers specifically to a smiling facial expression. Unlike 笑(わら)い (laughter), it describes the visual appearance of a smile rather than the act of laughing. It always carries a positive connotation.

Common patterns

笑顔(えがお)で (with a smile — used adverbially)
笑顔(えがお)を見(み)せる (to show a smile)
笑顔(えがお)を絶(た)やさない (to always keep smiling)
満面(まんめん)の笑顔(えがお) (a beaming smile)
笑顔(えがお)が素敵(すてき) (to have a lovely smile)

Similar words

笑顔(えがお): smiling face (visual appearance)
笑(わら)い: laugh, laughter (the act or sound)
微笑(ほほえ)み: a gentle, quiet smile
にこにこ: smiling continuously (onomatopoeia)

Writing

笑(え) (laugh) + 顔(がお) (face). Note the readings change in this compound.

Related Words

Related: 笑(わら)い (laughter (act/sound))

Synonym: 微笑(ほほえ)み (gentle smile)

Antonym: 真顔(まがお) (serious face)

Compare: にこにこ (smiling continuously)

Compare: 満面(まんめん)の笑(え)み (a beaming smile)

core

Added 2026.1.9 21:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

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