顔・貌・顏|かおkao[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounface; visage; looks; (facial) features
   ヘレンはみんなにほめられて顔かおを赤あかくした。↗

   Helen blushed at their praise.
2. nounlook; (facial) expression; countenance
   露骨ろこつに嫌いやな顔かおをして、彼かれを睨にらみつけた。↗

   I glared at him with a blatant look of disapproval on my face.
3. nounhonor (honour); face; dignity
4. nouninfluence; notoriety; trust; pull; clout
5. nounrepresentative; (the) face (of something); trademark; example
6. nounmembers; attendees; lineup; participants; everyone involved
7. nounmakeup; cosmetics

• SynonymフェイスNeutralLoanword used mostly inside compounds for cosmetics and sports, as in 「ポーカーフェイス」; for the face in everyday speech, 「顔」 is the word.
• SynonymつらCasualA rough, colloquial word for 「顔」 with a contemptuous or rude edge, as in 「どの面下げて」; using it about people is highly impolite.
• Synonym顔つきかおつきNeutralA person's features or the expression on the face, as in 「真剣な顔つき」; it centers on the impression the face gives.
• Related表情ひょうじょうNeutralThe feelings and moods that show on the face, and by extension the expressiveness of a voice or the look of scenery; it never names the face itself as a body part.
• Related顔色かおいろNeutralThe complexion or the look on someone's face, centering on color and mood, as in 「顔色が悪い」 or 「顔色をうかがう」; 「顔」 is the face itself.
• Related血相けっそうNeutralThe look of a face changed by excitement or anger, familiar from 「血相を変える」; it does not refer to the face itself.
• Related見た目みためNeutralOutward appearance, not limited to the face and also used of things, as in 「見た目がいい」; 「顔」 is the face, extending to expression and honor.
• Related風貌ふうぼうWrittenThe overall image a person projects from looks plus dress and bearing, as in 「学者らしい風貌」; it covers more than the face. Written/formal prose.
• RelatedルックスCasualColloquial loanword for a person's looks, often used to judge attractiveness, as in 「ルックスがいい」; common in speech.
• Related面差しおもざしWrittenWritten and literary: the overall impression given by someone's face and expression, often in saying whom a person resembles; in daily speech say 「顔立ち」.
• Related相好そうごうWrittenOriginally a Buddhist term for the features of a Buddha; today it survives mostly in 「相好を崩す」, breaking into a broad smile. Formal prose.
• Related顔ばせかおばせWrittenAn archaic, literary word for the countenance, found mainly in literary works; in everyday speech just say 「顔」.
• Related面付きつらつきCasualColloquial: the expression showing on the face, blunter and more casual than 「顔つき」, which is what people normally say.
• Related面構えつらがまえNeutralLooks or an expression that reads as resolute, fierce or fearless, as in 「いい面構えをしている」.
• Related面貌めんぼうWrittenWritten/formal prose for a person's looks; rare in daily conversation—for looks say 「顔立ち」 or 「顔」.
• Related相貌そうぼうWrittenWritten/formal prose for a person's features, mostly in descriptive writing; in daily speech say 「顔立ち」.
• Related面体めんていWrittenAn old-fashioned word for a person's looks, met mainly in historical fiction, as in 「怪しい面体の男」; rarely used today.

For the face itself, 「顔」 is the default. For the expression on it, use 「表情」 or 「顔つき」; for complexion or color, 「顔色」; for a person's looks, 「ルックス」 or 「見た目」. 「面（つら）」 is rough and insulting—avoid it about people. 「面差し」「相好」「顔ばせ」「面貌」「相貌」「面体」 are literary or dated words for looks; 「風貌」 adds dress and bearing; 「血相」 appears in 「血相を変える」; 「フェイス」 lives in compounds. For everyday looks, 「顔立ち」 is the natural choice.

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

1. （かお）人ひとや多おおくの動物どうぶつの頭部とうぶにおいて前面ぜんめんにあり、目め、鼻はな、口くちのある部位ぶい。