(ぎょうそう)

ぎょうそう
noun
look on one's face; expression; grimace
appearanceemotion
1. look on one's face; facial expression; grimace
The expression or look on someone's face, almost always used when the expression is intense, frightening, or distorted with emotion such as anger, fear, or desperation.
(おそ)ろしい形相(ぎょうそう)(にら)まれた
I was glared at with a terrifying expression.
(かれ)(おに)ような形相(ぎょうそう)怒鳴(どな)った
He shouted with a demonic look on his face.
Seeing someone running toward me with a desperate look, I wondered if something had happened.

Usage

形相(ぎょうそう) is almost exclusively used for intense, dramatic, or frightening facial expressions. It is not used for neutral or pleasant expressions — use 表情(ひょうじょう) for general facial expressions. Common modifiers include (おそ)ろしい (terrifying), (おに)ような (demonic), 必死(ひっし) (desperate), and 血走(ちばし)った (bloodshot).

Common collocations