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How to say 'Smile' in Japanese | 微笑

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

The Japanese word for Smile is 'Bishou', written as 微笑 in Japanese.'Smile' in hiragana is びしょう.

    word

    微笑

    Meaning

    Smile

    Reading

    びしょう

    bishou

    Kanji

    Slight, Delicate Laugh

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '微笑 (びしょう)' refers to a 'smile', particularly a gentle or faint smile. It is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a subtle, soft, or serene expression. For example: Her smile was gentle「彼女の微笑は優しかった」(かのじょのびしょうはやさしかった). The painting captured a faint smile「その絵はかすかな微笑をとらえていた」(そのえはかすかなびしょうをとらえていた). This word carries a nuance of quiet beauty and is less commonly used in casual conversation compared to '笑顔 (えがお)', which is a more general term for a smile.

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N1

    Kanji Grade

    7

    Frequency

    5316

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 微笑

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Laugh

Words Related to 微笑 Through the Kanji

These 3 Words contain the Kanji 微 as well.

  • word

    微妙

    Meaning

    Subtle, Doubtful

  • word

    微笑む

    Meaning

    Smile

  • word

    微か

    Meaning

    Faint

Words Related to 微笑 Through the Kanji

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

    微笑む

    Meaning

    Smile

  • word

    笑み

    Meaning

    Smile

  • word

    苦笑

    Meaning

    Wry smile

  • word

    可笑しな

    Meaning

    Strange

  • word

    笑い声

    Meaning

    Laughter

Learn the Word 微笑

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Bishou' (微笑) mean?

'Bishou' means 'Smile' .

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