寝顔(ねがお)

ねがお
noun
sleeping face; face of someone asleep
appearance
1. sleeping face; face of someone asleep
The face or facial expression of a person (or animal) while asleep. Often used affectionately.
子(こ)どもの寝顔(ねがお)はかわいい。
A child's sleeping face is adorable.
彼女(かのじょ)の寝顔(ねがお)をそっと見(み)つめた。
I quietly gazed at her sleeping face.
赤(あか)ちゃんの寝顔(ねがお)を見(み)ていると、一日(いちにち)の疲(つか)れも吹(ふ)き飛(と)ぶ。
Watching the baby's sleeping face makes the whole day's tiredness melt away.

Composed of 寝(ね)る (to sleep) + 顔(かお) (face). Refers to how someone looks while asleep, and carries a warm, affectionate nuance.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 寝相(ねぞう): sleeping posture — the position of the body while asleep, not the face.

Related Words

Compare: 寝相(ねぞう) (sleeping posture)
Related: 泣(な)き顔(がお) (tearful face)
general
Added 2026.6.19 0:20 · Revised 2026.10.19 9:58
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