顔 Kanji – face
The Japanese kanji 顔 can mean face, expression.
Meaning and Readings
How is 顔 read?
顔 has the onyomi reading ガン and the kunyomi reading かお.
In romaji, these readings can be written as gan, kao.
Common Japanese Words Using 顔
These common Japanese words contain 顔. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 横顔（よこがお） — profile, face in profile, face seen from the side
- 顔（かお） — face, visage
- 顔を潰す（かおをつぶす） — to make someone lose face, to embarrass someone, to make someone look foolish
- 顔色（かおいろ） — complexion, one's colour, one's color
- 顔ぶれ（かおぶれ） — personnel, members, lineup (of a team), roster, cast (of a play)
- 顔つき（かおつき） — (outward) looks, features, face, countenance, expression
- 顔面（がんめん） — face (of person)
- 顔立ち（かおだち） — looks, features
- 似顔（にがお） — portrait, likeness
- 似顔絵（にがおえ） — portrait, likeness, sketch (of a face)