How to say “face” in Japanese

顔
かおkao
nounJLPT N5Body & health
The short answer

“Face” in Japanese is 顔 (かお), pronounced kao.

Pronunciation

The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:

How to use it

Face. , “wide face”, describes someone who knows lots of people.

Example sentences

  • 顔を洗います。かおをあらいます。
    I wash my face.
  • 彼は顔が広いです。かれはかおがひろいです。
    He knows a lot of people.

Quick practice

Test yourself0/3
  1. What does {{顔}} mean?

  2. How do you read {{顔}}?

  3. Which word means “mouth”?

FAQ

How do you say face in Japanese?

Face in Japanese is 顔 (かお), pronounced “kao”.

How do you write face in Japanese?

It's written 顔 with kanji, or かお in hiragana. Both are read kao.

Is 顔 on the JLPT?

Yes. 顔 (kao) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.