Translation guide
How to express 'blush' in Japanese, covering physical reddening of the face from embarrassment, shyness, or other emotions.
Describing the physical act of blushing due to self-conscious emotions.
The most direct and common verb for 'to blush', literally 'red face'. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
He blushed with embarrassment.
A natural, everyday phrase meaning 'one's face becomes red'. Very common in casual speech.
I blushed when I was praised.
Simply 'to become red'. Often used when the context makes it clear that the face is reddening.
She blushed from embarrassment.
A more literary or formal term for 'to flush' or 'to blush', often used in written descriptions.
Her cheeks blushed.
Expressing the internal feeling that often accompanies blushing, even if the physical reaction isn't emphasized.
To feel shy, embarrassed, or awkward, often in a cute or endearing way. Commonly used when someone receives a compliment.
I blush when you praise me so much. (I get embarrassed.)
An adjective meaning 'embarrassing' or 'shy'. Used to describe the feeling that causes blushing.
Describing a color resembling a blush, often in cosmetics or poetic descriptions.
Both mean 'to blush', but 赤面する is a more formal, compound verb (Sino-Japanese), while 顔が赤くなる is a colloquial phrase. In casual conversation, 顔が赤くなる or simply 赤くなる is more common.
If the redness is from alcohol, heat, or physical exertion, use 赤くなる or 火照る (ほてる, to feel hot/flushed) instead of 赤面する, which is specifically for emotional blushing.
I blush when speaking in public. (It's embarrassing.)
This blush has a natural pink tone.