面持ち・面もち・面持|おももちomomochi[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounexpression; look; countenance; face

• Synonym顔つきかおつきNeutralCovers both looks and expression, e.g. 「怖い顔つき」; 面持ち leans toward a look that betrays a particular emotion.
• Synonym表情ひょうじょうNeutralThe most general word for facial expression, e.g. 「表情が豊か」; 面持ち is the more written, literary choice.
• Synonym顔色かおいろNeutralComplexion as well as the mood showing on a face: 「顔色が悪い」 is looking unwell, 「顔色をうかがう」 is reading someone's mood; leans toward complexion.
• Synonym血相けっそうNeutralThe changed look on the face when one is startled or angry, e.g. 「血相を変える」; leans toward shock or rage.
• Synonym面構えつらがまえNeutralA fierce or fearless set of the features, e.g. 「不敵な面構え」; stresses forcefulness rather than a passing emotion.
• Synonym相好そうごうWrittenWritten word for one's features, or a Buddha's countenance; best known in 「相好を崩す」, to break into a smile. 面持ち centers on feeling.
• Synonym面付きつらつきCasualColloquial and rather rough word for the look on someone's face; 面持ち is more written and carries no rough nuance.
• Related顔かおNeutralThe face itself, or one's standing and honor, e.g. 「顔を洗う」「顔が広い」; by far the broadest of these words.
• Related形相ぎょうそうWrittenWritten word for a fierce, contorted look when angry or agitated, e.g. 「すごい形相」; 面持ち can express any kind of emotion.
• Related面差しおもざしWrittenWritten word for one's looks or features, e.g. 「母の面差し」; it can carry feeling too, as in 「寂しげな面差し」. 面持ち is solely about emotion showing in the face.
• Related顔ばせかおばせWrittenWritten word for one's countenance with a classical flavor; rarely used in modern Japanese.
• Related面貌めんぼうWrittenWritten word for one's looks; leans toward outward appearance rather than expression.
• Related相貌そうぼうWrittenWritten word for one's features; leans toward what someone looks like, not the emotion on the face.

Use 「面持ち」 for a look that betrays a particular emotion, mostly in written prose: 「緊張した面持ち」「神妙な面持ち」. In everyday speech 「表情」 is the default; for features or looks pick 「顔つき」, and for a fierce, angry face 「形相」.

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

1. ある感情かんじょうの表あらわれている顔かおつき。表情ひょうじょう。「不安ふあんげな—」