Translation guide
The English word 'physiognomy' refers to the practice of judging character from facial features, or to the general appearance of a face. In Japanese, there is no single everyday equivalent; the concept is expressed through specific terms for face reading, facial features, or appearance, depending on context.
The traditional practice of assessing personality or fate based on facial structure.
The formal term for physiognomy as a field of study or pseudoscience. Used in academic or historical contexts.
Referring to the overall look or structure of someone's face, often in a descriptive or evaluative way.
Using 人相学 or 人相 in everyday chat may sound overly technical or superstitious. For describing someone's face, use 顔つき or 顔立ち unless you specifically mean face-reading.
顔つき emphasizes expression or the impression given by the face. 人相 implies judging character from features. 顔立ち is a neutral description of facial structure.
彼は人相学に詳しい。
He is knowledgeable about physiognomy.
A fortune-teller who reads faces; can also refer to the act of physiognomy in a folk context.
あの人は人相見ができる。
That person can read faces.
A less common synonym for physiognomy, sometimes used in older texts.
観相学は古代中国で発展した。
Physiognomy developed in ancient China.
The most common way to say 'facial expression' or 'look on one's face', often implying character or mood. Not strictly physiognomy, but used in similar contexts.
彼は優しい顔つきをしている。
He has a gentle physiognomy.
Literally 'physiognomy', but in everyday use it often means 'facial features' with a nuance of reading character. Can sound old-fashioned or superstitious.
彼の人相が悪い。
He has a sinister physiognomy.
Refers to facial features in a neutral, descriptive way, often about attractiveness or structure. Not about character reading.
彼女は整った顔立ちだ。
She has well-proportioned physiognomy.
Similar to 人相, but can be more formal or used in fortune-telling contexts. Also means 'facial appearance'.
彼の面相からは何も読み取れない。
I can't read anything from his physiognomy.