顰
scowl, raise eyebrows
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒン
Kun'yomi
- ひそ.める
- しか.める
Meaning
顰 centers on facial expressions of displeasure or concentration: scowling and raising or knitting the eyebrows.
Most common words using 顰
- 顰めるしかめる
to screw up (one's face); to scrunch up; to pucker up; to furrow (one's brow); to wrinkle
- 顰蹙ひんしゅく
frowning on; looking on with scorn; showing disapproval
- 顰めるひそめる
to knit (one's eyebrows); to furrow; to contract
- 一顰一笑いっぴんいっしょう
one's mood; one's caprice; a smile or a frown
- 顰みひそみ
knitted brows; frown
- 顰みに倣うひそみにならう
to imitate ridiculously
- 顰蹙を買うひんしゅくをかう
to be frowned on; to invite frowns of disapproval; to displease (people); to disgust
Study
Etymology
顰 combines 頻 (repeatedly) and 卑 (low, humble), suggesting a repeated lowering or knitting of the brows. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 頻 suggests something happening repeatedly, and the bottom 卑 looks like a humble or lowered face. Picture someone repeatedly lowering their brows into a scowl.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒン, imagine a person scowling so hard their face makes a sharp 'hin' sound, like a quick, disapproving sniff: hin -> ヒン.