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顔をほころばせる (かおをほころばせる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
break into a smile ; smile broadly ; grin widely
Describes a face that suddenly relaxes into a happy expression, often when someone is pleased or amused. The phrase is somewhat literary and emphasizes the visible change in expression.
しゃ
真しん
を
見み
て
、
祖そ
父ふ
は
顔かお
を
ほころば
せ
た
。
Looking at the photo of his grandchild, the grandfather smiled broadly.
Written forms 顔かお をほころばせる
Standard spelling using kana for ほころばせる; the kanji 綻 is rare and may not be recognized by many readers.
顔かお を 綻ほころ ばせる
Kanji spelling using 綻; this character is uncommon and may be difficult to read, so the kana form is preferred.
Kanji 綻 be rent, ripped, unravel Similar words 笑え 顔がお になる 笑顔になる is a more general and casual way to say 'to smile' or 'to have a smiling face,' while 顔をほころばせる specifically describes the moment when a serious or neutral face relaxes into a smile, often with a nuance of warmth or delight.
にっこりする にっこりする is an onomatopoeic verb for a brief, cheerful smile, whereas 顔をほころばせる implies a more gradual, involuntary softening of the expression.
Etymology The phrase combines 顔 (face) with ほころばせる, the causative form of ほころぶ (to come apart at the seams, to open up). The verb ほころぶ originally refers to a seam or bud opening, and metaphorically describes a face 'opening up' into a smile. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the expression is well-established in modern Japanese.
