絵文字
Meanings
1
emoji
Digital pictographs used in electronic messages and web pages, such as smileys, hearts, and food icons.
Adding emoji to a message makes it easier to convey feelings.
2
pictorial symbol; pictograph; pictogram
A broader term for any picture-based symbol, including ancient pictograms or modern signage. Less common than the emoji sense.
Ancient pictographs directly represented objects or concepts.
3
Text-based art made with keyboard characters; a specific, somewhat dated use of the term.
On old bulletin boards, ASCII art made with text characters was often used.
Usage patterns
- メールに絵文字を入れるto insert emoji into an email/message
I put some emoji in the email to my friend before sending it.
- 絵文字を使うto use emoji
She often uses emoji on social media.
- 絵文字で気持ちを伝えるto convey feelings through emoji
Sometimes I convey my feelings with emoji when words aren't enough.