面影(おもかげ)

おもかげ
noun
traces; vestiges; image; reminder of someone
1. traces; vestiges; remains of past appearance
Visual or recognizable remnants of how something or someone used to be.
この町(まち)には昔(むかし)の面影(おもかげ)がない。
This town has no traces of its former self.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)の面影(おもかげ)が残(のこ)っている。
Traces of their childhood appearance remain.
2. image; likeness; features reminiscent of someone
A resemblance to someone, often a family member, visible in appearance or manner.
彼女(かのじょ)には母親(ははおや)の面影(おもかげ)がある。
She has traces of her mother in her features.

WORD FORMATION:
面(おも) (face, surface) + 影(かげ) (shadow, image) → the image/memory of a face

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 面影(おもかげ)がある (to have traces/resemblance)
  • 面影(おもかげ)を残(のこ)す (to retain traces)
  • 面影(おもかげ)を偲(しの)ぶ (to reminisce about someone's image)
  • 昔(むかし)の面影(おもかげ) (traces of the past)

NUANCE:
面影(おもかげ) often carries a nostalgic or wistful tone, used when remembering how things used to be or seeing a resemblance to someone from the past.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 名残(なごり) (traces, remnants) - broader meaning, includes non-visual traces
  • 面影(おもかげ) - specifically visual/appearance-related traces

Related Words

Related: 名残(なごり) (traces)
core
Added 2026.1.18 12:30 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06631_omokage