Translation guide
The English word "looks" can refer to physical appearance, facial expressions, or the act of looking. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
彼は見た目がいい。
He has good looks.
彼女は変な表情をした。
She gave me a strange look.
Describing how someone looks, their attractiveness or general appearance.
General term for outward appearance, how someone or something looks. Neutral and widely used.
彼は見た目がいい。
He has good looks.
見た目で人を判断してはいけない。
Don't judge people by their looks.
External appearance, often used in more formal or written contexts. Similar to "outward appearance."
Refers to one's figure and appearance, often used in contexts like beauty or modeling. Slightly formal.
Loanword from English, used casually to mean physical attractiveness, similar to "good looks."
Describing the expression someone has, like a happy look or a worried look.
Referring to the action of directing your eyes, or a quick look.
The nominalized form of 'to look'. General and neutral.
彼女の部屋を見ることはできなかった。
I couldn't get a look at her room.
Describing how something looks, its visual impression.
Same as for people, but also used for objects. Very common.
The loanword ルックス (rukkusu) only refers to physical attractiveness, not to facial expressions. Use 表情 (ひょうじょう) for the look on someone's face.
見た目 (mitame) is the most common and neutral for appearance. 外見 (gaiken) is slightly more formal and often used for people's outward appearance. 見かけ (mikake) often carries a nuance of 'outward appearance that may differ from reality'.
見た目が全てではない。
Looks aren't everything.
これはどうも様子がおかしい。
I don't like the look of this.
This is an idiomatic translation; 'look' here means 'situation' or 'appearance of things'.
外見は普通の人に見える。
He looks like an ordinary person (in terms of appearance).
She is confident in her looks.
彼はルックスがいい。
He has good looks.
Facial expression. The standard word for the look on someone's face.
彼は悲しそうな表情をしていた。
He had a sad look on his face.
その表情は何を意味しているの？
What does that look mean?
The look of one's face, often implying a certain character or mood. More about the overall impression.
彼は心配そうな顔つきだった。
He had a worried look on his face.
Specifically the look in one's eyes, often used for sharp or intense looks.
彼の鋭い目つきが怖かった。
His sharp look was scary.
A glance, a brief look. Somewhat formal or literary.
彼は時計に一瞥をくれた。
He gave a look at his watch.
One's gaze or line of sight. Often used when someone is looking at something or someone.
彼の視線を感じた。
I felt his look (gaze) on me.
このケーキは見た目が美しい。
This cake looks beautiful.
External appearance, often for buildings or objects. More formal than 見た目.
建物の外観は古い。
The building's looks are old.
Outward appearance, often implying it may be deceptive. 'Looks can be deceiving' is a common phrase.
見かけは悪いけど、味はいい。
It doesn't look good, but it tastes good.
見かけにだまされるな。
Don't be fooled by looks.
You can't tell from his looks.
見かけは怖いけど、優しい人だ。
He looks scary but is a kind person.