Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing the concept of 'smiling' depends on the nuance: a natural smile, a grin, a forced smile, or the act of smiling. The most common word is 笑顔 (egao, 'smiling face'), but verbs like 微笑む (hohoemu) and にっこりする (nikkori suru) are also used.
Describing a face that is smiling, often as a noun.
The most common and natural word for 'smiling face' or 'smile'. Used for genuine, happy smiles.
彼女の笑顔は素敵だ。
Her smile is lovely.
笑顔で挨拶する。
Greet with a smile.
A gentle, soft smile. Slightly literary or poetic compared to 笑顔.
彼の口元に微笑みが浮かんだ。
A smile appeared on his lips.
Onomatopoeic adverb/noun for a cheerful, beaming smile. Often used with する or as a modifier.
子供がにこにこ笑っている。
The child is smiling happily.
The action of smiling, often in a gentle or noticeable way.
To smile gently. The most standard verb for 'smile'. Intransitive.
彼女は私に微笑んだ。
She smiled at me.
Literally 'become a smiling face', meaning to break into a smile or start smiling.
その言葉を聞いて、彼は笑顔になった。
Hearing those words, he smiled.
To give a broad, cheerful smile. Onomatopoeic, casual.
赤ちゃんが私ににっこりした。
The baby smiled at me.
Usually means 'to laugh', but can mean 'to smile' in certain contexts. Use with care; 微笑む is clearer for 'smile'.
Often implies laughter, not just a smile. Can be ambiguous.
A smile that is not genuine, often for social reasons.
A forced smile, a fake smile. Literally 'made laugh/smile'.
彼女の作り笑いが痛々しかった。
Her forced smile was painful to see.
A polite, sociable smile; a smile to be amiable, often insincere.
A bitter smile, a wry smile. Used when something is awkward or disappointing.
A wide, often toothy smile, sometimes with a nuance of mischief or great joy.
A broad, self-satisfied grin. Onomatopoeic, often used with する.
彼はいたずらが成功してにんまりした。
He grinned when his prank succeeded.
A sly, meaningful grin. Onomatopoeic.
A face beaming with a smile; a broad smile all over one's face. Somewhat literary.
彼は満面の笑みを浮かべた。
He beamed with a broad smile.
笑う primarily means 'to laugh' and can imply audible laughter. To clearly express 'smile' without laughter, use 微笑む or 笑顔になる. Using 笑う for 'smile' is possible but context-dependent and may be misunderstood.
彼女は微笑んだが、笑わなかった。
She smiled, but did not laugh.
彼は何も言わずに笑った。
He smiled without saying anything. (context-dependent)
店員が愛想笑いを浮かべた。
The clerk put on a polite smile.
彼は失敗して苦笑いした。
He gave a bitter smile after his mistake.
The culprit grinned slyly.