Translation guide
How to talk about someone's personal appearance in Japanese, including physical looks, grooming, and overall impression.
Describing how someone looks overall, often in a neutral or positive way.
The most common and neutral way to refer to someone's outward appearance. Can be used for people, things, or situations.
He has a good appearance.
Don't judge people by their appearance.
Refers to outward appearance, often with a nuance of surface vs. inner qualities. Slightly more formal than 見た目.
He looks like an ordinary person on the outside.
Refers to one's figure and facial features; often used in formal contexts like job requirements or beauty standards.
a woman of striking beauty
Describing specific physical traits like height, weight, facial features, etc.
Refers to physique or body build. Commonly used in health or sports contexts.
He has a sturdy build.
Refers to facial features, the shape and look of the face.
Refers to personal appearance with emphasis on dress and grooming. Often used when talking about how someone presents themselves.
Talking about how someone dresses, styles themselves, or maintains their appearance.
Refers to personal grooming and neatness, including clothing, hair, and hygiene. Often used in professional or social etiquette contexts.
To groom oneself / to tidy up one's appearance.
Specifically refers to clothing, attire, or dress. Not about physical features.
Refers to being stylish, fashionable, or dressing up nicely. Can be a noun or na-adjective.
Describing the impression someone's appearance gives, often subjective.
Means 'impression'. Often used with adjectives to describe how someone seems based on appearance.
First impressions are important.
Means 'from the looks of it' or 'judging by appearance'. Used to make a tentative judgment.
From his appearance, he seems well.
見た目 is the most common and casual way to say 'appearance'. 外見 is slightly more formal and often contrasts with inner character. 容姿 is formal and refers specifically to facial features and figure, often used in beauty or job contexts.
The phrase 'personal appearance' doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Use 見た目 or 身だしなみ depending on whether you mean looks or grooming. Saying パーソナルアピアランス is not natural.
彼女は整った顔立ちをしている。
She has well-defined features.
Pay attention to your appearance (dress/grooming).
Appearance (grooming) is important in an interview.
服装は自由です。
Dress code is casual / free.
She is stylish.
He gives a clean impression.