Translation guide
How to refer to someone whose face you recognize but may not know well, or to describe a face that feels familiar.
Referring to someone you know by sight but not necessarily by name or relationship.
Literally 'a face one has seen and knows'. Natural for someone you recognize.
会議室に見知った顔がいくつかあった。
There were several familiar faces in the meeting room.
Emphasizes that you remember seeing the face before.
Describing the feeling that a face is known or recognizable.
A face you are used to seeing; implies comfort or routine.
毎朝、駅で見慣れた顔に会う。
Every morning I see familiar faces at the station.
In Japanese, if you know the person's name or title, it's more natural to use that rather than a phrase like 'familiar face'. The concept is often implied by context.
He was a familiar face, but I couldn't remember his name.
Casual, for someone you see often around.
あの人はこのカフェでよく見る顔だ。
That person is a familiar face at this cafe.
A face that feels friendly or approachable, even if not well known.
彼女の親しみのある顔を見てほっとした。
I felt relieved when I saw her familiar face.
Used when you feel you've seen the face somewhere but can't place it.
あの人、どこかで見た顔だな。
That person looks like a familiar face.