1.
look; facial expression
The expression on a person's face that shows what they are feeling, especially at a tense or serious moment. A written, somewhat literary word, nearly always with a modifier: 緊張した面持ち, 神妙な面持ち.
A written word, common in novels and news reports; in conversation 顔 or 表情 is usual. It almost never stands alone: it follows an adjective or a phrase describing the feeling, and is usually followed by で ("with a … look").
Common collocations
- 緊張した面持ち: a tense look
- 神妙な面持ち: a solemn, subdued look
- 硬い面持ち: a stiff, strained expression
- 不安げな面持ち: an anxious look