顔: the kanji for face
顔 is a JLPT N3 kanji that means face. Below are its readings, 3 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
顔 is written in 18 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
顔 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 2 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ガン (gan)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 洗顔せんがん · sengan | washing one's face |
かお (kao)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 顔かお · kao | face |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 顔, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 笑顔えがお · egao | smiling face |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 朝、洗顔をしてから朝食を食べます。Asa, sengan o shite kara chōshoku o tabemasu.I wash my face and then eat breakfast in the morning.
- 彼女はいつも笑顔です。Kanojo wa itsumo egao desu.She always has a smiling face.
- 彼の顔には疲れが見えた。Kare no kao ni wa tsukare ga mieta.Fatigue showed on his face.
- 子どもの笑顔を見るとうれしい。Kodomo no egao o miru to ureshii.I'm happy when I see a child's smiling face.
- 顔を洗ってすっきりした。Kao o aratte sukkiri shita.I washed my face and felt refreshed.
Questions about 顔
How many strokes does 顔 have?
顔 is written in 18 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 顔?
The on readings are gan (ガン). The kun readings are kao (かお).
What JLPT level is 顔?
N3. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N3 falls between the former Levels 2 and 3.
More JLPT N3 kanji
Body and health
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 顔
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.