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What is the Kanji for 'Face'? | 顔

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Face', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Face' is 顔.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face

    Reading

    kunyomiかお

    kao

    onyomiがん

    gan

    Parts

    𦣻Neck (首)Eight Stand Cliff Fur

    Example Word

    泣き顔: tearful face. The Japanese noun '泣き顔 (なきがお)' refers to a 'tearful face' or the expression someone has when they are crying or about to cry. It is often used to describe someone's appearance when they are emotionally distressed. For example: She showed a tearful face「彼女は泣き顔を見せた」(かのじょはなきがおをみせた). His tearful face made me feel sad「彼の泣き顔を見て悲しくなった」(かれのなきがおをみてかなしくなった). This word is commonly used in both written and spoken Japanese to convey emotional vulnerability.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    18

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    79

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 5 parts:

    radical

    𦣻

    Meaning

    Neck

    Radical Form Of

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eight

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stand

    radical

    Meaning

    Cliff

    radical

    Meaning

    Fur

Words Using

This kanji is used in 7 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Face

    word

    笑顔

    Meaning

    Smile

    word

    朝顔

    Meaning

    Morning glory

    word

    顔色

    Meaning

    Mood, Complexion

    word

    顔付き

    Meaning

    Expression

    word

    横顔

    Meaning

    Profile

    word

    泣き顔

    Meaning

    Tearful face

Kanji Related to Through the Part 𦣻

These 2 kanji contain the part 𦣻 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Head

    kanji

    Meaning

    Summer

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 16 kanji contain the part 八 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Six

    kanji

    Meaning

    Small

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shellfish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Red

    kanji

    Meaning

    Father

    kanji

    Meaning

    Head

    kanji

    Meaning

    Minute, Part

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Public

    kanji

    Meaning

    Together

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Proportion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Code, Rule

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soldier

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hole

    kanji

    Meaning

    Take in, Vicarious

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 14 kanji contain the part 立 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sound

    kanji

    Meaning

    Parent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hard, Spicy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Weep, Cry

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rank

    kanji

    Meaning

    Next, Following

    kanji

    Meaning

    Trade, Deal

    kanji

    Meaning

    End, Edge

    kanji

    Meaning

    Compete

    kanji

    Meaning

    Juvenile

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chapter, Badge

    kanji

    Meaning

    Dragon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grain, Grains

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yank, Abduct

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 14 kanji contain the part 厂 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Year

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meadow, Original

    kanji

    Meaning

    Anti

    kanji

    Meaning

    Equip, Provide

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beach

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thick, Kind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ashes

    kanji

    Meaning

    Severe, Strict

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pressure

    kanji

    Meaning

    Skin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Edge, Horizon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Calendar, Almanac

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rin, Thousandth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Misfortune, Unlucky

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 9 kanji contain the part 彡 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shape

    kanji

    Meaning

    Participate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shadow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Carve

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cedar, Cryptomeria

    kanji

    Meaning

    Patent, Proclaim merits

    kanji

    Meaning

    Coloring, Beautiful coloring

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gloom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Necessary

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 顔 mean?

顔 means 'Face'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

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