Translation guide
To furrow or wrinkle the forehead, typically expressing worry, anger, concentration, or confusion.
Expressing negative emotion by drawing the eyebrows together.
Furrowing the brow while thinking hard or focusing.
Do not translate 'knit' directly as 編む (to knit fabric). The phrase is idiomatic and refers to facial expression.
眉をひそめる can mean frowning in anger, worry, or concentration. Use adverbs or context to clarify, e.g., 心配そうに (worriedly), 怒って (angrily), 考え込んで (deep in thought).
The most common and natural way to say 'knit one's brows' in Japanese. Literally 'to narrow one's eyebrows'. Used for frowning in disapproval, worry, or anger.
彼はその質問に眉をひそめた。
He knitted his brows at the question.
彼女は不機嫌そうに眉をひそめた。
She knitted her brows in displeasure.
Similar to 眉をひそめる, but しかめる implies a more pronounced grimace or scowl. Often used for strong displeasure or pain.
痛みで眉をしかめた。
He knitted his brows in pain.
A noun meaning 'scowl' or 'grimace'. Can be used to describe a facial expression with knitted brows, but is less direct.
彼はしかめ面をした。
He made a scowl (knitted his brows).
Also used for concentration, though context is needed to distinguish from negative emotions.
彼は難しい問題に眉をひそめて考え込んだ。
He knitted his brows, deep in thought over the difficult problem.
Literally 'to gather wrinkles between the eyebrows'. A vivid description of knitting one's brows, often in concentration or worry.
彼は眉間にしわを寄せて本を読んでいた。
He was reading a book with his brows knitted.