1.
the whole face; beaming (expression)
The entire face. Used especially in 満面の笑み ('a beaming smile') to describe an expression spread across the whole face.
満面の笑みを浮かべる。
to break into a beaming smile.
彼は優勝して満面の笑顔だった。
He had a beaming smile after winning the championship.
子供は欲しかったおもちゃをもらって、満面に喜びを表した。
The child, given the toy he had wanted, showed delight all over his face.
Literally 'the whole face.' It almost always appears in set phrases describing an expression that fills the entire face, especially a broad smile.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 満面の笑み: a beaming smile (across the whole face)
- 満面の笑顔: a face-filling smile
- 満面に喜びを表す: to show joy all over one's face
NOTE:
満面 is rarely used alone; it functions as a modifier (満面の〜) describing how an emotion spreads over the whole face.