にこにこ

adverb

smiling; beaming

1. smiling; beaming

Describes a happy, gentle smile that shows contentment or friendliness.

彼女(かのじょ)はいつもにこにこしている。

She is always smiling.

にこにこ笑(え)みながら挨拶(あいさつ)した。

I greeted them with a smile.

赤(あか)ちゃんがにこにこしている。

The baby is smiling happily.

にこにこ顔(がお)で「おはよう」と言(い)った。

With a smiling face, they said 'good morning.'

子(こ)どもたちはプレゼントをもらって、にこにこしながら走(はし)って行(い)った。

The children received their presents and ran off with big smiles.

にこにこ is a 擬態語(ぎたいご) (mimetic word) that describes a warm, gentle, continuous smile showing happiness or friendliness.

COMMON PATTERNS:

にこにこする: to smile (ongoing state)
にこにこ顔(がお): a smiling face
にこにこしながら: while smiling
にこにこと話(はな)す: to talk with a smile

SIMILAR SMILE WORDS:

にっこり: a single bright smile (one-time action, often warm)
にやにや: grinning, smirking (can imply mischief or something suspicious)
にたにた: smirking unpleasantly (negative nuance)
ほほえむ: to smile (verb, more literary)

NUANCE:
にこにこ always has a positive, warm nuance. It suggests a genuine, pleasant smile — never sarcastic or forced. Commonly used to describe children, friendly people, and pleasant interactions.

core

Added 2026.1.16 12:20 · Revised 2026.6.5 3:09

05000/05177_nikoniko