How to say "complexion" in Japanese

• 顔色かおいろCommon
  nounComplexion as the colour and overall look of the face, whether it seems healthy or pale. The word to use when you notice or comment on how someone's face looks that day.
  久夫ひさおは死人しにんのように青あおざめた顔色かおいろをしていた。↗

  Hisao's face was as pale as that of a corpse.
• 血色けっしょくCommon
  nounComplexion in the sense of healthy colour: the redness in the face that reflects one's condition. The word for saying that someone has good colour or looks pale and drained.
  彼女かのじょの顔かおは健康けんこうそうな血色けっしょくをしていた。↗

  Her face glowed with health.
• 色いろJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe general word for colour; its 'complexion' sense is skin colour or tone, fair or dark, rather than the face's changing look. For the face's momentary condition, 顔色 or 血色 fits better.

Choose 顔色 for the look and colour of the face as a whole, 血色 for the healthy redness in the face, and 色 for skin colour or tone; 血色 is the narrowest in scope.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 顔色かおいろcomplexion
• 血色けっしょくcomplexion
• 色艶いろつやcolour and lustre
• 面色めんしょくexpression
• 色いろcomplexion