Translation guide
Describes the hair growing down the sides of the face in front of the ears. Japanese has a few specific terms, but the most common is a borrowed word.
The learner wants to refer to sideburns in everyday conversation.
The most common and natural word for sideburns in Japanese. Refers to the hair itself.
He is growing his sideburns.
I forgot to shave my sideburns.
A direct loanword from English. Understood, but less common than もみあげ. Often used in fashion or hairstyling contexts.
That actor's sideburns are cool.
The learner wants to describe sideburns that are particularly long or thick, extending down the cheeks.
Literally 'cheek beard'. Refers to thick sideburns or mutton chops. More descriptive and less common in daily speech.
He sports impressive mutton chops.
The learner wants to describe a style where sideburns merge into a beard.
Means 'connected sideburns', used when sideburns join with a beard or mustache. Often used in barber contexts.
I'd like to have my sideburns connected to my beard.
もみあげ is the go-to word in almost all situations. It can be used for both short and long sideburns. For very long or styled sideburns, you can add descriptors like 長い (long) or 立派な (splendid).
I trim my sideburns every week.
His sideburns are too long.