顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い

かおがひろい

expression

well-connected, having many acquaintances

businessexpression

1. well-connected, having a wide circle of acquaintances

Describes someone who knows many people in various fields or circles and has an extensive network.

彼(かれ)は業界(ぎょうかい)で顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い。

He's well-connected in the industry.

顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い人(ひと)に紹介(しょうかい)してもらった。

I was introduced by someone with many connections.

政治家(せいじか)は顔(かお)が広(ひろ)くないと務(つと)まらない。

You can't serve as a politician without being well-connected.

社長(しゃちょう)は顔(かお)が広(ひろ)いので、困(こま)ったときに頼(たよ)りになる。

The president is well-connected, so you can count on him when you're in trouble.

彼女(かのじょ)は顔(かお)が広(ひろ)くて、どこに行(い)っても知(し)り合(あ)いがいる。一緒(いっしょ)に歩(ある)くと何度(なんど)も声(こえ)をかけられる。

She's so well-connected that she has acquaintances everywhere. When I walk with her, people greet her again and again.

Structure: 顔(かお) (face) + が + 広(ひろ)い (wide). Literally 'one's face is wide' - meaning one's face is known widely.

Related words

顔(かお)が利(き)く (to have influence, pull) - using connections
人脈(じんみゃく)が広(ひろ)い (to have a wide network) - more formal
知(し)り合(あ)いが多(おお)い (to have many acquaintances) - simpler expression

Nuance: Implies not just knowing many people casually, but having meaningful connections that can be useful in business or social situations.

Cultural note: In Japanese society, personal connections (人脈(じんみゃく)) are highly valued for getting things done. Being 顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い is seen as a valuable social asset.

Related Words

Related: 顔(かお) (face)

Related: 人脈(じんみゃく) (personal network (more formal))

Related: 顔(かお)を出(だ)す (to show up, to make an appearance)

Related: 顔(かお)を立(た)てる (to save someone's face)

Compare: 顔(かお)が利(き)く (to have influence)

core

Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:05

06500/06887_kaogahiroi