形相|ぎょうそうgyousou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounlook (esp. an angry or upset look); expression

• Synonym表情ひょうじょうNeutralThe general, neutral word for a facial expression. Unlike 「形相」, it covers any expression and does not suggest an extraordinary look born of intense emotion.
• Synonym顔色かおいろNeutralRefers to complexion or how one's face looks — e.g. 「顔色が悪い」 — and also to reading someone's mood in 「顔色を窺う」; not necessarily frightening.
• Synonym血相けっそうCasualColloquial; most often met in the set phrase 「血相を変える」, where the face changes color from anger or alarm — the go-to phrase for a sudden shift of expression.
• Synonym面構えつらがまえWrittenWritten style for the fierce or fearless look that shows in a person's features, as in 「不敵な面構え」.
• Related顔つきかおつきCasualCommon in speech for a person's look or expression, as in 「真剣な顔つき」; the everyday word where 「形相」 would suggest something fierce.
• Related面持ちおももちWrittenWritten style for an expression on which a feeling shows, as in 「緊張した面持ち」.
• Related顔かおNeutralThe everyday word for the face itself; it can refer to an expression but does not suggest the intense, extraordinary look of 「形相」.
• Related形かたちNeutralMeans physical shape or form; used on its own it does not refer to a facial expression.
• Related相好そうごうWrittenWritten word for one's features or face; in modern use it survives chiefly in 「相好を崩す」, which means to break into a broad smile.
• Related相貌そうぼうWrittenWritten word for a person's looks or features, used for objective description of appearance rather than of an expression.
• Related面差しおもざしWrittenWritten word for the look of a person's face or features, often used when saying that someone takes after another in appearance.
• Related顔ばせかおばせWrittenA rare, literary word for the face or countenance, with an old-fashioned flavor; seldom seen in modern usage.

For an ordinary expression use 「表情」 or, in speech, 「顔つき」. 「形相」 is for the extraordinary look on someone's face under fierce emotion — 「鬼のような形相」, 「必死の形相」. For a face changing color from anger or panic, say 「血相を変える」.

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

1. 顔かおつき。相好そうごう。姿すがた。
2. 仏像ぶつぞうの外見がいけん上じょうの姿すがた。