Translation guide
The fleshy part of the face below the eye; also used figuratively for impudence or boldness.
The fleshy side of the face below the eye.
The most common and neutral word for the cheek. Can also be read ほほ, but ほお is more standard.
彼女の頬は赤くなった。
Her cheeks turned red.
赤ちゃんの頬は柔らかい。
A baby's cheeks are soft.
Colloquial and slightly childish word for cheek, often used in casual conversation or with children.
ほっぺたにキスした。
I kissed her on the cheek.
Even more casual and childish than ほっぺた; often used by or with small children.
ほっぺが落ちそう！
It's so delicious my cheeks might fall off! (idiomatic expression of deliciousness)
Bold or rude behavior, often expressed as 'having the cheek to do something'.
Noun meaning impudence, shamelessness, or nerve. Used to describe someone's audacious behavior.
彼の厚かましさには驚いた。
I was surprised at his cheek.
Na-adjective meaning cheeky, impertinent, saucy. Often used for someone who is presumptuous or talks back.
生意気なことを言うな。
Don't be cheeky.
Literally 'with what face', used to express 'how dare you have the cheek to...'. Very strong and confrontational.
Very rude; only use in extreme situations or when you want to be deliberately offensive.
どの面下げて来たんだ。
How do you have the cheek to show up here?
One side of the buttocks.
頬 (ほお) is the standard, neutral term. ほっぺた is casual and often used with children or in informal settings. ほっぺ is even more childish and cute. Use 頬 in formal writing or when speaking politely.
医者に頬の腫れを見せた。
I showed the doctor the swelling on my cheek.
子供のほっぺたをつついた。
I poked the child's cheek.
English 'cheek' meaning impudence does not translate directly to 頬. Use words like 厚かましさ, 生意気, or 図々しい instead. Saying 彼は頬がある would be nonsense.
彼はなんて厚かましいんだ。
What a cheek he has!
彼女は彼の頬にキスした。
She kissed him on the cheek.
彼は図々しくももっとお金を要求した。
He had the cheek to ask for more money.
I-adjective meaning shameless, impudent, brazen. Describes someone who has a lot of nerve.
図々しいお願いかもしれませんが…
I know it's cheeky of me to ask, but...