smiling face; beaming face
Refers to a broad, happy smile reminiscent of the god Ebisu, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, who is often depicted with a cheerful expression. Used to describe someone's face when they are smiling broadly or looking very pleased.
He reported his lottery win with a beaming smile.
Looking at her grandchild's photo, the grandmother broke into a broad smile.
Most common spelling; uses the hiragana reading for えびす and the kanji 顔.
Alternate kanji spelling using 恵比寿 for Ebisu.
Alternate kanji spelling using 恵比須 for Ebisu.
Rarely used kanji form; 夷 is an older character for Ebisu.
Compound of えびす (Ebisu, the god of fortune often depicted smiling) and 顔 (face). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with the god's cheerful expression.