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浮かぬ顔をする (うかぬかおをする) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

浮うかぬ顔かおをする

Meanings

1

expression, suru verb (irregular)

look disheartened; look downcast

Describes a facial expression showing disappointment, worry, or lack of cheer. Often used when someone's mood is visibly low.

彼かれは浮うかぬ顔かおをして会かい議ぎに参さん加かした。
He attended the meeting looking disheartened.
何なにかあったの？浮うかぬ顔かおをし

て

いる

ね

。

Did something happen? You look downcast.

Written forms

浮うかぬ顔かおをする
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
うかぬ顔かおをする
Kana spelling; common in informal writing or when avoiding kanji.

Kanji

浮floating, float, rise to surface
顔face, expression

Similar words

浮うかない顔かお
Similar meaning but uses the modern negative form 浮かない instead of the classical 浮かぬ. 浮かぬ顔をする is a set phrase with a slightly literary feel.

Etymology

The expression uses the classical negative form 浮かぬ (modern 浮かない) of the verb 浮く (to float, to be cheerful), literally 'to make a face that does not float', i.e., a gloomy expression.