似 顔 絵(にがおえ)

にがおえ

noun

portrait, caricature

1. portrait, likeness, caricature

A drawing or painting of a person's face, ranging from a realistic portrait to a humorous or exaggerated caricature. Commonly seen at tourist spots, events, and in police sketches.

似顔絵(にがおえ)を描(か)いてもらった。

I had my portrait drawn.

観光地(かんこうち)で似顔絵(にがおえ)を描(か)く画家(がか)がいた。

There was an artist drawing caricatures at the tourist spot.

警察(けいさつ)は目撃者(もくげきしゃ)の証言(しょうげん)をもとに犯人(はんにん)の似顔絵(にがおえ)を作成(さくせい)した。

The police created a composite sketch of the suspect based on witness testimony.

似顔絵(にがおえ) covers a wide range from realistic portrait sketches to exaggerated caricatures. The word is used both for entertainment (street artists at tourist spots) and for official purposes (police composite sketches).

Common collocations

似顔絵(にがおえ)を描(か)く: to draw a portrait/caricature
似顔絵(にがおえ)師(し): portrait/caricature artist
似顔絵(にがおえ)を作成(さくせい)する: to create a composite sketch
犯人(はんにん)の似顔絵(にがおえ): suspect's composite sketch

Etymology

似(に) (resemblance) + 顔(かお)→がお (face) + 絵(え) (picture). Literally "a picture that resembles the face."

Distinct from 肖像画(しょうぞうが) (formal portrait painting), which implies a more artistic or official work.

Related Words

Compare: 肖像画(しょうぞうが) (portrait)

general

Added 2026.2.16 21:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

11000/11456_nigaoe