noun
devilish face; diabolical face
Describes a stern, frightening, or grim facial expression, likened to the fierce face of Enma, the judge of the dead. Often used for someone who looks angry or intimidating.
彼は怒ると閻魔顔になる。
When he gets angry, he gets a devilish face.
あの先生はいつも閻魔顔で、生徒たちは怖がっている。
That teacher always has a stern face, and the students are scared of him.
鬼のような顔 compares a face to an oni (ogre), emphasizing ferocity; 閻魔顔 carries a nuance of stern authority and judgment.
Compound of 閻魔 (Enma, the king of hell in Buddhist mythology) and 顔 (face). The word likens a stern or frightening facial expression to that of Enma, who judges the dead with a fierce countenance.