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.
彼女は笑みを浮かべた。
She broke into a smile.
穏やかな笑みで迎えてくれた。
They welcomed me with a gentle smile.
その知らせを聞いて、思わず笑みがこぼれた。
Upon hearing the news, a smile inadvertently spread across my face.
USAGE:
笑み has a softer, more literary tone than 笑顔 (smiling face). It often appears in set expressions and is common in novels, poetry, and formal descriptions.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 笑みを浮かべる: to break into a smile
- 笑みがこぼれる: to let a smile slip out
- 笑みを見せる: to show a smile
- 穏やかな笑み: a gentle smile
- 満面の笑み: a beaming smile
SIMILAR WORDS:
笑顔 is the standard everyday word for a smiling face and is far more common in conversation. 笑み focuses on the expression itself and carries a more poetic, literary quality.