Translation and Meaning of: 面 - omo

The Japanese word 面[おも] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings and varied uses in everyday Japan. If you are studying Japanese or simply interested in the country's culture, understanding what this expression represents can open doors to new discoveries. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, writing in kanji, and how it is used in different contexts. Additionally, we will provide practical tips for memorizing it and curiosities that go beyond the dictionary.

Meaning and usage of 面[おも]

Men [omo] is a word that can be translated as "face," "surface," or even "aspect." It is often used to refer to the front part of something, whether a physical object or an abstract situation. For example, in expressions like 面を向ける (おもをむける), which means "to turn one's face," or 面白い (おもしろい), which means "interesting" or "fun," but originally refers to the idea of something that "shows its face."

In everyday life, the Japanese use this word subtly, often in contexts that go beyond its literal meaning. It appears in both formal and informal conversations, demonstrating its versatility. Its use is also present in martial arts, such as kendo, where 面 refers to the protective mask worn by fighters.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 面 is composed of 9 strokes and belongs to the group of commonly used characters in Japan. Its origin dates back to ancient Chinese, where it represented the idea of "face" or "surface." Over the centuries, its meaning has expanded to include more abstract concepts like "side" or "perspective." This explains why it appears in so many compound words in modern Japanese.

An interesting fact is that the radical of this kanji (⺆) is associated with ideas of covering or enveloping, which makes sense when we consider terms like 面会 (めんかい), which means "face-to-face meeting." This detail helps to understand why 面 is not limited to just the physical sense, but also to the act of "facing" situations or people.

Tips for memorizing and using 面[おも]

For those learning Japanese, an effective way to remember this word is to associate it with images of the human face or objects with well-defined sides, like a cube. Another strategy is to practice with simple sentences, such as "Please lend me that interesting book," where 面 appears in the term 面白い.

It is worth noting that 面[おも] should not be confused with similar words, such as 顔 (かお), which also means "face," but has a more literal and everyday use. While 顔 is used to describe a person's face, 面 tends to appear in more formal or metaphorical contexts, such as in expressions and proverbs.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 顔 (Kao) - Face, the front part of the head where the eyes, nose, and mouth are located.
• 表情 (Hyōjō) - Facial expression, the appearance of the face that conveys emotions or feelings.
• マスク (Masuku) - Mask, an object used to cover the face, often used for protection or disguise.
• フェイス (Feisu) - Face, a term in English often used in contexts related to appearance or design, but it can also refer to the face.

面

Romaji: omo
Kana: おも
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: face

Meaning in English: face

Definition: the surface or appearance of something.

Example Sentences - (面) omo

See below some example sentences:

この本はとても面白いです。

Kono hon wa totemo omoshiroi desu

This book is very interesting.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 本 - noun meaning "book"
• は - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 面白い - The adjective that means "interesting/fun" is "面白い" (omoshiroi).
• です - verb "ser/estar" in the polite form

地面が震えた。

Jimen ga furueta

The ground shook.

• 地面 - It means "ground" or "earth" in Japanese.
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 震えた - It is a verb that means "to tremble" or "to shake" in Japanese, conjugated in the past tense.

斜面を登るのは大変だ。

Shamen wo noboru no wa taihen da

Climbing a slope is difficult.

It is difficult to climb the slope.

• 斜面 - means "slope" or "decline".
• を - Particle that indicates the object of the action.
• 登る - verb that means "to ascend" or "to climb".
• の - particle that indicates the nominalization of a sentence.
• は - Particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大変 - adjective that means "difficult" or "arduous".
• だ - verb that indicates the affirmative form and present tense.

水面に映る夕日は美しいです。

Suimen ni utsuru yuuhi wa utsukushii desu

The sunset reflected on the surface of the water is beautiful.

The sunset on the surface of the water is beautiful.

• 水面に - "on the surface of the water"
• 映る - "reflected"
• 夕日 - "sunset"
• 美しい - "bonito"
• です - "is"

洗面所に行って顔を洗いました。

Sennmenjo ni itte kao wo araimashita

I went to the bathroom and washed my face.

• 洗面所 - It means "bathroom" or "restroom".
• に - it is a particle that indicates the place where the action occurs, in this case, "in the bathroom".
• 行って - It is the conjugation of the verb "ir" in the past, indicating that the person went to the bathroom.
• 顔 - It means "face".
• を - it is a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "washed the face".
• 洗いました - it is the past form of the verb "lavar", indicating that the person washed their face.

直面することは恐れる必要はありません。

Chokumen suru koto wa osoreru hitsuyō wa arimasen

You don't have to be afraid to face it.

• 直面する - face
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 恐れる - fear
• 必要 - necessary
• は - Topic particle
• ありません - negation of "being"

私はその方面に詳しいです。

Watashi wa sono houmen ni kuwashii desu

I am an expert in this area.

I am familiar with this area.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• その (sono) - 日本語の指示代名詞で「それ」にあたるのは「あれ」です。
• 方面 (hōmen) - a Japanese noun that means "area," "field," or "domain"
• に (ni) - destination particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 詳しい (kuwashii) - Japanese adjective that means "detailed," "precise," or "well-informed."
• です (desu) - linking verb in Japanese that indicates existence or quality, in this case "is"

私は几帳面な人間です。

Watashi wa kichoumen na ningen desu

I am a meticulous person.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 几帳面 (kichoumen) - adjective that means "methodical," "organized"
• な (na) - particle that connects the adjective with the noun
• 人間 (ningen) - noun that means "human being"
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in the present, indicating an affirmation

私の顔には面皰があります。

Watashi no kao ni wa mentsu ga arimasu

I have acne on my face.

There is a face on my face.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "de" in English
• 顔 - noun that means "face" in Japanese
• に - particle that indicates the place where something is or happens, equivalent to "in" in Portuguese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about" in Portuguese
• 面皰 - Noun that means "spine" in Japanese
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, equivalent to "the" in Portuguese
• あります - The verb that means "to exist" in Japanese, conjugated in the affirmative present tense.

私たちの家は公園に面しています。

Watashitachi no ie wa kōen ni menshite imasu

Our house faces the park.

Our house faces the park.

• 私たちの - 私たち
• 家 - "house" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 公園 - "parque" in Japanese
• に - Location particle in Japanese
• 面しています - "facing" in Japanese