Translation guide
In Japanese, emoticons are often called 顔文字 (kaomoji), meaning 'face characters,' and are distinct from Western-style emoticons. They are read vertically and use a wide range of characters to create expressive faces. The term 絵文字 (emoji) refers to picture characters, which are different from emoticons.
emoticon (Japanese style)
Use this for text-based faces like (^_^)
Referring to text-based facial expressions made with Japanese characters, read vertically without tilting the head.
The standard term for Japanese-style emoticons. Literally 'face characters.' Used for expressions like (^_^) or (T_T).
Japanese kaomoji are often facing forward, not sideways.
Often confused with emoticons, but actually refers to emoji (picture characters like 😊). Not the same as kaomoji, though sometimes used loosely.
絵文字 usually means emoji, not text-based emoticons. Use 顔文字 for emoticons.
Referring to sideways emoticons like :) or :D, common in English.
Literally 'sideways face characters.' Used to distinguish Western-style emoticons from Japanese kaomoji.
In English chat, you often see sideways emoticons.
From 'smiley,' often used for simple smiley faces like :) or :-). Casual and common in online contexts.
When you need a generic word that covers both Japanese and Western emoticons.
In Japanese, 顔文字 is the closest general term, though it primarily refers to Japanese-style. In context, it can be understood as any text-based emoticon.
Using emoticons makes it easier to convey feelings.
顔文字 (kaomoji) are text-based emoticons made from characters, like (^_^). 絵文字 (emoji) are picture characters, like 😊. They are not the same, though the English word 'emoji' comes from 絵文字.
Kaomoji are faces made of characters like (^_^), while emoji are images like 😊.
Japanese emoticons often focus on the eyes, while Western ones focus on the mouth. For example, happy is (^_^) not :). Sad is (T_T) or (;_;). They are widely used in casual digital communication.
She uses a lot of emoticons.
Emoji are different from kaomoji; they are displayed as images.
I add a smiley at the end of the message.