貌
form, appearance, countenance
Readings
On'yomi
- ボウ
- バク
Kun'yomi
- かたち
- かたどる
Meaning
貌 centers on the outward visible shape of something: its form, appearance, or the expression on a face (countenance).
Most common words using 貌
- 変貌へんぼうN1
transfiguration; transformation; change of appearance
- 美貌びぼう
beautiful face; good looks; beauty
- 全貌ぜんぼう
full view; total picture; whole story; full particulars; all the details
- 風貌ふうぼう
(a person's) appearance; looks
- 容貌ようぼう
looks; features; (personal) appearance
- 外貌がいぼう
outward appearance
- 相貌そうぼう
looks; features
- 体貌たいぼう
appearance
- 地貌ちぼう
geographical features; topography
- 容貌端正ようぼうたんせい
having handsome and clean-cut features
- 容貌魁偉ようぼうかいい
(a man) having a commanding face and a powerful physique
- 形貌けいぼう
looks; features; one's face and figure; appearance
- 相貌失認そうぼうしつにん
prosopagnosia; face blindness
- 相貌的知覚そうぼうてきちかく
physiognomic perception
- 象貌しょうぼう
appearance; figure
- 醜貌しゅうぼう
hideous face; ugly face; unattractive face; unsightly face
- 面貌めんぼう
looks
Study
Etymology
貌 combines 豸 (a beast-like creature) with 皃 (appearance, face). The original idea may have been the outward look of a beast, extended to form or countenance in general.
Meaning mnemonic
A beast 豸 shows its form through its face 皃. Together, 貌 is the outward appearance or countenance of something.
Reading mnemonic
For ボウ, picture a bow (ボウ) tied around a beast's face to change its appearance: bow -> ボウ, and the beast's form is altered.