顔色|かおいろkaoiro[0]heiban (flat)

1. nouncomplexion; skin tone; skin colour
   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.
2. nouncountenance; look (on one's face); expression

• Synonym血色けっしょくNeutralThe blood colour of the skin, focused on health, as in 「血色がいい」; it never carries the sense of reading someone's mood, as in 「顔色をうかがう」.
• Synonym血相けっそうNeutralMostly in 「血相を変える」, the face changing from shock or anger — a strong expression; 「顔色」 is far broader in use.
• Synonym面持ちおももちWrittenA written word for the expression that reveals a feeling, as in 「緊張した面持ち」 or 「晴れやかな面持ち」; it does not refer to complexion.
• Synonym面色めんしょくWrittenA written-style word for the colour of the face, rare even in writing; everyday speech uses 「顔色」, and it does not appear in idioms like 「顔色をうかがう」.
• Related顔つきかおつきNeutralA person's looks or the expression on the face — the face's appearance, not its colour, as in 「険しい顔つき」; 「顔色」 is about complexion.
• Related表情ひょうじょうNeutralFacial expression, centred on emotion showing through, and it can also describe changes in scenery; 「顔色」 additionally covers the complexion that reflects health.
• Related肌色はだいろNeutralThe colour and tone of the skin itself, also a colour name (pale orange); unlike 「顔色」 it never means one's expression or reading someone's mood.
• Related面差しおもざしWrittenA written word for the impression of one's features and expression, often of whom one resembles, as in 「母の面差しを残す」; it does not cover health or gauging moods.
• Related色艶いろつやNeutralThe colour and lustre of the skin, concerned with how healthy the complexion looks, as in 「肌の色艶」; it also has a sense of charm or interest that 「顔色」 lacks.
• Related面構えつらがまえNeutralThe fierce, frightening or strong-willed look on a face, as in 「不敵な面構え」; it says nothing about complexion or colour.
• Related顔ばせかおばせWrittenAn archaic, literary word for the face as a whole, its looks; rarely used today and never for complexion — say 「顔」 or 「表情」 in daily speech.
• Related相好そうごうNeutralMostly in 「相好を崩す」, breaking into a broad smile; alone it means one's features and is rare, never for complexion or reading someone's mood.
• Related相貌そうぼうWrittenA written word for facial features, mostly in descriptions of appearance; 「顔色」 deals with complexion and momentary expression.
• Related面付きつらつきCasualA colloquial word for the look on one's face; the character 「面」 gives it a rougher tone than 「顔色」, as in 「ふてぶてしい面付き」 or 「精悍な面付き」.

Use 「顔色」 for both complexion and reading someone's mood: 「顔色が悪い」, 「顔色をうかがう」. For healthy colour say 「血色」; for emotion on the face, 「表情」; in writing, 「面持ち」 for a look that reveals feeling. The rest describe features or the look of the face (「顔つき」, 「面差し」, 「相貌」, 「面構え」, 「面付き」), skin colour (「肌色」, 「色艶」), or fixed phrases (「相好を崩す」, 「血相を変える」).

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

1. かおいろ。