口 元(くちもと)

くちもと

noun

area around the mouth

1. area around the mouth, lips and mouth area

The region of the face around and including the mouth. Often referenced when describing facial expressions, makeup, or physical features.

口元(くちもと)に笑(え)みを浮(う)かべた。

A smile appeared around the mouth.

マスクで口元(くちもと)が隠(かく)れている。

The area around the mouth is hidden by a mask.

彼女(かのじょ)は口元(くちもと)を手(て)で押(お)さえながら小(ちい)さく笑(わら)った。

She laughed quietly while covering her mouth with her hand.

Common collocations

口元(くちもと)に笑(え)みを浮(う)かべる (have a smile on one's lips)
口元(くちもと)を隠(かく)す (cover one's mouth area)
口元(くちもと)を押(お)さえる (hold one's hand over one's mouth)
口元(くちもと)が緩(ゆる)む (the corners of the mouth relax into a smile)

Frequently used in literary and descriptive writing to convey subtle facial expressions. The similar term 口許(くちもと) uses a different kanji but has the same meaning.

Related Words

Related: 唇(くちびる) (lip, lips)

Compare: 目元(めもと) (the area around the eyes)

Compare: 下唇(したくちびる) (the lower lip)

general

Added 2026.2.18 23:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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