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.
Her smile is lovely.
Greet with a smile.
A gentle, soft smile. Slightly literary or poetic compared to 笑顔.
A smile appeared on his lips.
Onomatopoeic adverb/noun for a cheerful, beaming smile. Often used with する or as a modifier.
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.
She smiled at me.
Literally 'become a smiling face', meaning to break into a smile or start smiling.
To give a broad, cheerful smile. Onomatopoeic, casual.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
She smiled, but did not laugh.
Hearing those words, he smiled.
彼は何も言わずに笑った。
He smiled without saying anything. (context-dependent)
The clerk put on a polite smile.
He gave a bitter smile after his mistake.
The culprit grinned slyly.
He beamed with a broad smile.