頬ほおが緩ゆるむ

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-mu)

grin; smile involuntarily

Describes a spontaneous, often uncontrollable smile where the cheeks relax and lift. Commonly used when someone is pleased, amused, or touched by something.

孫まごの写しゃ真しんを見みて、思おもわず頬ほおが緩ゆるんだ。
Looking at the photo of my grandchild, I couldn't help but grin.
彼かの女じょの笑え

顔がお

に

つら

れ

て

、

私わたし

も

頬ほお

が

緩ゆる

ん

だ

。

Influenced by her smile, I found myself grinning too.

Written forms

頬が緩む
- ほおがゆるむ
  Standard kanji spelling. 頬 can also be read ほほ, but ほお is more common in modern Japanese.
- ほほがゆるむ
頬がゆるむ
- ほおがゆるむ
  Kana spelling of the verb part; sometimes used for clarity or in casual writing.
- ほほがゆるむ
ほほがゆるむ

Kanji

頬cheeks, jaw
緩slacken, loosen, relax

Similar words

笑わらう
笑う is a general verb for laughing or smiling, while 頬が緩む specifically refers to an involuntary, gentle grin where the cheeks relax.
にこにこ
にこにこ describes a cheerful, sustained smile, often with a sense of happiness. 頬が緩む emphasizes the physical relaxation of the cheeks and the involuntary nature of the expression.

Etymology

The expression literally means 'one's cheeks loosen/relax,' metaphorically describing the physical change when a smile breaks out. The origin is straightforward and not historically obscure.