King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “complexion”

Romaji: kaoiro
complexion; skin tone; skin colour

In Japanese, complexion is , read (kaoiro).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n complexion; skin tone; skin colour
  2. n countenance; look (on one's face); expression

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

face, expression
on: ガン
kun: かお
18 strokes · JLPT 3
color
on: ショク、シキ
kun: いろ
6 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “complexion”

WordReadingMeaning
いろ irocomplexion; skin colour; skin color
けっしょく kesshokucomplexion; colour; color
いろつや irotsuyacolour and lustre; color and luster; complexion
めんしょく menshokuexpression; complexion

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
えがお egaosmiling face; smile
かおぶれ kaoburepersonnel; members; lineup (of a team)
すがお sugaoface with no make-up; unpainted face
かおつき kaotsuki(outward) looks; features; face
がんめん ganmenface (of person)
きいろ kiiroyellow; amber
しきさい shikisaicolour; color; hue
けしき keshikiscenery; scene; landscape

See also: Chinese symbol for “complexion”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

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