顔色(かおいろ)

かおいろ
noun
complexion; facial color; expression; look on one's face
body-parthealthemotion
1. complexion; facial color
The color or condition of someone's face, typically used to assess health or physical state.
顔色(かおいろ)が悪(わる)いですよ。
You don't look well. (Your complexion is bad.)
熱(ねつ)が下(さ)がって、顔色(かおいろ)がだいぶ良(よ)くなった。
The fever went down and her complexion improved considerably.
朝(あさ)から顔色(かおいろ)が青白(あおじろ)くて、周(まわ)りの人(ひと)に心配(しんぱい)された。
My face was pale since morning, and the people around me were worried.
2. expression; look on one's face; someone's mood or attitude
The look on someone's face that reveals their feelings, mood, or approval. Often used in the phrase 顔色(かおいろ)をうかがう (to read someone's expression / to try to gauge someone's mood).
上司(じょうし)の顔色(かおいろ)をうかがう。
To read one's boss's expression. / To try to gauge one's boss's mood.
彼(かれ)は誰(だれ)の顔色(かおいろ)も気(き)にしない性格(せいかく)だ。
He has a personality that doesn't care about what others think.
いつも人(ひと)の顔色(かおいろ)ばかりうかがっていたら、自分(じぶん)の意見(いけん)が言(い)えなくなる。
If you're always trying to read other people's moods, you won't be able to express your own opinions.

A compound of 顔(かお) (face) and 色(いろ) (color). Sense 1 refers literally to the color of the face as a sign of health; sense 2 extends to the expression or demeanor one shows, especially regarding approval or displeasure.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 血色(けっしょく): complexion (health-related) — focuses specifically on the pinkness indicating good blood circulation
  • 表情(ひょうじょう): facial expression — broader term for any expression; does not carry the nuance of gauging someone's mood
  • 機嫌(きげん): mood; temper — describes the mood itself rather than the outward signs on the face

Usage

The phrase 顔色(かおいろ)をうかがう has a slightly negative connotation, suggesting excessive deference or people-pleasing. It is a common topic in discussions about workplace culture and interpersonal relationships in Japan.

Related Words

Compare: 血色(けっしょく) (complexion)
Compare: 表情(ひょうじょう) (facial expression)
Compare: 機嫌(きげん) (mood)
Compare: 肌色(はだいろ) (skin color)
general
Added 2026.4.25 23:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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