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How to say 'Smile' in Japanese | 微笑む

Wondering how to say 'Smile' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Smile is 'Hohoemu', written as 微笑む in Japanese.'Smile' in hiragana is ほほえむ.

    word

    微笑む

    Meaning

    Smile

    Reading

    ほほえむ

    hohoemu

    Kanji

    微Slight, Delicate 笑Laugh

    Explanation

    The Japanese verb '微笑む (ほほえむ)' means 'to smile'. This verb is used to describe a gentle or subtle smile, often conveying warmth, kindness, or quiet amusement. It is less intense than a broad or loud smile and is often associated with a calm or serene expression. For example: She smiled gently at the child「彼女は子供に微笑んだ」(かのじょはこどもにほほえんだ). He smiled quietly to himself「彼は静かに微笑んだ」(かれはしずかにほほえんだ). The verb can also be used metaphorically to describe something that brings a sense of quiet joy or satisfaction, such as 'the flowers smiled in the breeze'「花が風に微笑んだ」(はながかぜにほほえんだ).

    Part Of Speech

    verb

    Kanji JLPT

    N1

    Kanji Grade

    7

    Frequency

    4284

    Composition

    kanji-hiragana

    Handwriting

This word is a godan verb. To learn how it transforms in different tenses and forms, explore all its conjugations.

Kanji in the Word 微笑む

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    微

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

  • kanji

    笑

    Meaning

    Laugh

Hiragana in the Word 微笑む

This word contains 1 Hiragana character :

  • hiragana

    む

    Reading

    Mu

Words Related to 微笑む Through the Kanji 微

These 3 Words contain the Kanji 微 as well.

  • word

    微妙

    Meaning

    Subtle, Doubtful

  • word

    微か

    Meaning

    Faint

  • word

    微笑

    Meaning

    Smile

Words Related to 微笑む Through the Kanji 笑

These 9 Words contain the Kanji 笑 as well.

  • word

    笑う

    Meaning

    Laugh

  • word

    可笑しい

    Meaning

    Strange, Funny

  • word

    笑い

    Meaning

    Laughter

  • word

    笑顔

    Meaning

    Smile

  • word

    笑み

    Meaning

    Smile

  • word

    苦笑

    Meaning

    Wry smile

  • word

    微笑

    Meaning

    Smile

  • word

    可笑しな

    Meaning

    Strange

  • word

    笑い声

    Meaning

    Laughter

Learn the Word 微笑む

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Hohoemu' (微笑む) mean?

'Hohoemu' means 'Smile' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.