How to say "smile" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 笑顔えがおnounA smile as seen on a person's face; the everyday noun. Typical when describing someone lighting up with a smile or greeting you with one, in conversation and narrative alike.
- 微笑むほほえむgodan verb, intransitive verbThe verb 'to smile': use it when you need the action of smiling in a sentence. It often suggests a gentle, quiet smile rather than a laugh.
- nounThe borrowed English word. You mostly meet it in advertising, product and service names, and casual, stylish talk; for describing an actual smile in ordinary sentences it is seldom the word you want.
- 笑みえみnounA noun for a smile, close in meaning to 笑顔 but with a more literary, written flavor; common in narrative and descriptive writing when a gentle smile forms on someone's face.
- 微笑びしょうnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA noun meaning a slight, gentle smile; the noun counterpart of 微笑む. It has a restrained, somewhat formal tone and appears mostly in written description rather than casual conversation.
Use 笑顔 for the smile on someone's face, 「微笑む」 for the act of smiling, 「笑み」 or 微笑 for noun uses with a more literary tone, and 「スマイル」 mainly in names and advertising.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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