渋じゅう面めん

also: しぶづら · しぶつら

じゅ

う

め

ん

Common word

Meanings

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

grimace; sullen face

Describes a facial expression showing displeasure, bitterness, or reluctance. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.

彼かれは渋じゅう面めんを作つくって、その提てい案あんを聞きいていた。
He listened to the proposal with a grimace.
渋じゅう面めんのまま、彼かの女じょは仕し方かたなく同どう意いした。
With a sullen face, she reluctantly agreed.

Usage patterns

〈人ひと〉が渋じゅう面めんを作つくるfor someone to make a sullen/grimacing face
彼かれは上じょう司しの話はなしを聞ききながら渋じゅう面めんを作つくった。
He made a sullen face while listening to his boss talk.
渋じゅう面めんを浮うかべるto have a grimace show on one's face
彼かの女じょはその値ね段だんを聞きいて渋じゅう面めんを浮うかべた。
She grimaced when she heard the price.
渋じゅう面めんになるfor one's expression to turn into a grimace/sullen look
父ちちの顔かおはその報ほう告こくを聞きくとすぐに渋じゅう面めんになった。
My father's face turned into a grimace as soon as he heard the report.

Kanji

渋astringent, hesitate, reluctant
面mask, face, features

Related words

しかめ面づら
しかめ面 is the common everyday word for a frown or grimace, while 渋面 is a more literary term emphasizing bitterness or reluctance.

Opposites

笑え顔がおN3
笑顔 is a smiling, happy face, the direct opposite of the sullen, displeased expression of 渋面.

Written forms

渋面Usage100%
- じゅうめん
  Standard kanji form; the reading じゅうめん is the most common.
- しぶづら
  Alternate reading using kun'yomi; less common than じゅうめん.
- しぶつら
  Alternate reading using kun'yomi; less common than じゅうめん.
しぶつら
しぶづら

Etymology

Compound of 渋 (astringent, bitter) and 面 (face). The reading じゅうめん is on'yomi, while しぶづら/しぶつら mix kun'yomi. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.