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顔
On'yomi
ガン
GAN
Kun'yomi
かお
kao
face · expression
Details
Strokes18
Frequency#676
Radical頁page(9)
Old Form顏
Stroke Order
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Strokes18
Component Breakdown
顔=
彦頁
彦 + head
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of prince (彦) and head (頁). Front of head, face.
Symbolism
Face, honor, expression. Represents social dignity in 'save face'.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
厚顔無恥
こうがんむち
shameless; brazen and unscrupulous; shameless
破顔一笑
はがんいっしょう
smiling broadly; smiling broadly
破顔大笑
はがんたいしょう
breaking into a hearty laugh; breaking into a hearty laugh
顔面蒼白
がんめんそうはく
one's face turning pale (ashen); the color being drained from one's face; one's face turning pale (ashen)
紅顔可憐
こうがんかれん
youthful and endearing; rosy-cheeked and sweet; youthful and endearing
和顔愛語
わがんあいご
with a gentle face and a nice word; with a gentle face and a nice word
Proverbs & Idioms
顔に泥を塗る
かおにどろをぬる
To smear mud on someone's face
To disgrace someone
Poetry
和歌（百人一首） (Waka (Hyakunin Isshu))
嘆けとて 月やは物を 思はする かこち顔なる わが涙かな
Poem #86 from Hyakunin Isshu
西行法師Saigyō Hōshi
12th century