難色|なんしょくnanshoku[0]heiban (flat)

1. noundisapproval; reluctance; unwillingness
   彼かれはまゆを上あげて難色なんしょくを示しめした。↗

   He showed his disapproval by raising an eyebrow.

• Synonym不同意ふどういNeutralExplicit disagreement, as in 「不同意書」. 「難色」 is softer — a reserved, reluctant attitude rather than a clear statement of disagreement.
• Synonym不賛成ふさんせいNeutralDisapproval of something, as in 「不賛成の立場」. 「難色」 conveys reluctance and reservation, not necessarily outright opposition.
• Synonym不承知ふしょうちWrittenWritten/formal prose: not consenting, a refusal. 「難色」 is a tactful show of unwillingness that need not amount to an outright refusal.
• Related異存いぞんWrittenAn objection, mostly in the formal phrase 「異存はない」. 「難色」 is an attitude of unwillingness to accept.
• Related不承認ふしょうにんWrittenWritten/formal prose: withholding approval, a veto. 「難色」 hints at reluctance and does not necessarily mean a veto has been issued.
• Related不承ふしょうWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare: dissent, mostly in 「不承不承」 (reluctantly consenting). 「難色」 is the attitude of being unwilling to accept.
• Related不許可ふきょかWrittenFormal term for an authority withholding permission, as in 「不許可処分」. 「難色」 shows reluctance and need not involve any formal decision.
• Related不承諾ふしょうだくWrittenWritten/formal prose: declining or refusing consent. 「難色」 is a milder show of reluctance and reservation.
• Related不認可ふにんかWrittenWritten/formal prose: official non-approval, rejection. 「難色」 politely signals reluctance, which may or may not end in an actual rejection.
• Antonym賛成さんせいNeutralThe opposite on the question of agreeing: approval and support, as in 「賛成多数」.
• Antonym同意どういNeutralThe opposite on the question of agreeing: agreement or consent, as in 「同意書」.
• Antonym快諾かいだくNeutralThe opposite in eagerness: consenting readily and gladly, where 「難色」 shows hesitation.

Use 「難色を示す」 for a reserved, reluctant attitude toward accepting something — fits individuals, governments and organizations alike. For clear disagreement pick 「不同意」 or 「不賛成」; for an authority refusing permission, 「不許可」. Antonyms: 「賛成」, 「快諾」.

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

1. 承知しょうちできないという様子ようす。