Japanese symbol for “looks”
顔
かお
Romaji: kao
face; visage; looks; (facial) features
In Japanese, looks is 顔, read かお (kao).
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
- n face; visage; looks; (facial) features
- n look; (facial) expression; countenance
- n honor (honour); face; dignity
- n influence; notoriety; trust; pull; clout
- n representative; (the) face (of something); trademark; example
- n members; attendees; lineup; participants; everyone involved
Written forms: 顔、貌、顏. Readings: かお.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “looks”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 顔つき | かおつき kaotsuki | (outward) looks; features; face |
| 顔立ち | かおだち kaodachi | looks; features |
| 外見 | がいけん gaiken | outward appearance; looks |
| 人相 | にんそう ninsou | looks; countenance; facial features |
| 外観 | がいかん gaikan | outward appearance; exterior appearance; outward show |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 笑顔 | えがお egao | smiling face; smile |
| 顔ぶれ | かおぶれ kaobure | personnel; members; lineup (of a team) |
| 素顔 | すがお sugao | face with no make-up; unpainted face |
| 顔色 | かおいろ kaoiro | complexion; skin tone; skin colour |
| 顔つき | かおつき kaotsuki | (outward) looks; features; face |
| 顔面 | がんめん ganmen | face (of person) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “looks”.
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.