素顔

すがお
Frequency:
1

A bare face with no make-up; the unadorned face. Often used interchangeably with 'すっぴん' in everyday speech.

Noun

Examples

今日は疲れているから素顔で出かける。

I'm tired today, so I'll go out without makeup.

寝起きの素顔を見られるのはちょっと恥ずかしい。

It's a bit embarrassing to have someone see my face right after waking up.

彼女は普段から素顔がきれいだと言われる。

People say her bare face is beautiful even normally.

2

Figuratively, it means the true face or real nature of something (e.g., a country, celebrity) — the reality behind appearances.

Noun

Examples

そのドキュメンタリーで政治家の素顔が明かされた。

The documentary revealed the politician's true nature.

表向きは優しいが、素顔は冷酷だと噂されている。

On the surface he's kind, but his real nature is rumored to be cold-hearted.

メディアが伝えるイメージと企業の素顔は違っていた。

The image presented by the media differed from the company's true nature.

3

Can mean a sober or composed expression — the calm, unadorned look someone has (context-dependent).

Noun

Examples

重大な発表でも、彼女は素顔で淡々と対応した。

Even during the major announcement, she responded calmly with a composed face.

Word Relationships

Synonyms