Translation guide
Expressing displeasure or sulkiness by pushing out the lips, or describing a similar facial expression. Japanese has several words and phrases to describe pouting, depending on the nuance—whether it's a childish sulk, a cute gesture, or a sign of anger.
To describe a child or someone acting childishly pushing out their lips in a sulky way.
Literally 'to make one's mouth pointed'. This is the most direct and common way to describe pouting, often used for children or when someone is sulking.
My little sister got angry and pouted.
He was pouting with dissatisfaction.
A verb meaning 'to swell' or 'to puff out', often used for cheeks when pouting or sulking. Can also mean to get sulky.
The child was scolded and pouted.
She has a pouting face.
A noun meaning 'pouting face' or 'sulky look'. Often used in the phrase ふくれっ面をする.
He always has a pout on his face.
Similar to ふくれる, but often implies a more peevish or sullen attitude. Can mean 'to become sulky' or 'to pout'.
When I warned him, he got all sulky.
To describe a deliberate, often cute pout, like making duck lips for a selfie.
To describe a pout that shows real anger or strong displeasure, not just a childish sulk.
Literally 'to make one's mouth into the shape of the hiragana へ'. This describes a downturned mouth, a classic pout of displeasure or anger.
He was angry, his mouth turned down in a pout.
A general phrase meaning 'sullen face' or 'displeased look', which often includes a pout.
Both mean 'to pout' or 'to sulk', but ふくれる focuses more on the physical swelling of cheeks, while むくれる emphasizes the sullen, peevish attitude. ふくれる is more common for children, むくれる can be used for adults acting childishly.
The child puffed out his cheeks and started crying.
He got all sulky and left the room.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'pout' in all contexts. Using phrases like 口をとがらせる or ふくれる is more natural than trying to find a one-word equivalent.
あひる口の自撮りが流行っている。
Duck-face selfies are popular.
She sat there with a pout on her face.