笑(え)み

えみ

noun

smile

1. smile, grin

A gentle facial expression of happiness or warmth. More literary and refined than the everyday word 笑顔, often used in written language and formal contexts.

彼女(かのじょ)は笑(え)みを浮(う)かべた。

She broke into a smile.

穏(おだ)やかな笑(え)みで迎(むか)えてくれた。

They welcomed me with a gentle smile.

その知(し)らせを聞(き)いて、思(おも)わず笑(え)みがこぼれた。

Upon hearing the news, a smile inadvertently spread across my face.

Usage

笑(え)み has a softer, more literary tone than 笑顔(えがお) (smiling face). It often appears in set expressions and is common in novels, poetry, and formal descriptions.

Common collocations

笑(え)みを浮(う)かべる: to break into a smile
笑(え)みがこぼれる: to let a smile slip out
笑(え)みを見(み)せる: to show a smile
穏(おだ)やかな笑(え)み: a gentle smile
満面(まんめん)の笑(え)み: a beaming smile

Similar words

笑顔(えがお) is the standard everyday word for a smiling face and is far more common in conversation. 笑(え)み focuses on the expression itself and carries a more poetic, literary quality.

Related Words

Synonym: 笑顔(えがお) (smiling face (common))

general

Added 2026.2.27 12:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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