B1 Collocation Neutral

真剣な顔

shinken na kao

Serious face

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお} to describe someone who is looking serious, focused, or deeply concerned about a situation.

  • Means: A facial expression showing intense concentration or earnestness.
  • Used in: Business meetings, serious discussions, or when someone is deeply focused on a task.
  • Don't confuse: Don't use it for 'angry' (that is {怒|おこ}った{顔|かお}).
Deep focus + No smiling = {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお}

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means a serious face. You use it when someone is not laughing and is thinking hard. It is a very common way to describe how someone looks when they are working or talking about something important.
When you see someone who is focused on their work or talking about a difficult problem, they often have a 'serious face.' In Japanese, we say {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお}. It is useful for describing people in stories or explaining why someone didn't smile during a meeting.
The collocation {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお} is used to describe an expression of intense concentration or gravity. It stems from the concept of 'earnestness.' You will frequently encounter this in professional settings or when discussing sensitive topics. It is not just about being 'not happy'; it is about being 'fully present' and 'committed' to the current interaction.
Beyond simple description, {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお} serves as a socio-linguistic marker of engagement. In Japanese business culture, adopting this expression is a performative act of respect. It signals to the interlocutor that the speaker acknowledges the weight of the discourse. Unlike 'angry,' which is reactive, this phrase denotes a proactive state of mental readiness and professional dedication.
The etymological roots of {真剣|しんけん}—derived from the 'real sword' of the samurai—imbue this collocation with a sense of existential gravity. When a speaker uses this phrase, they are invoking a cultural expectation of stoicism and focus. It functions as a lexical tool to frame a situation as high-stakes, effectively silencing levity and demanding the listener's full cognitive attention.
The phrase {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお} operates as a cognitive anchor in Japanese discourse, bridging the gap between physical affect and social expectation. By labeling an expression as 'serious,' the speaker categorizes the interaction as one requiring high-level executive function and emotional regulation. It is a quintessential example of how Japanese lexical choices encode social hierarchy and situational awareness, reflecting a cultural paradigm where non-verbal cues are as critical as the propositional content of the speech itself.

Significado

An expression indicating deep thought, concentration, or earnestness.

🌍

Contexto cultural

In Japan, a serious face is a sign of respect for the speaker.

💡

Practice in the mirror

Try making a 'Shinken na kao' in the mirror to understand the physical feeling.

Significado

An expression indicating deep thought, concentration, or earnestness.

💡

Practice in the mirror

Try making a 'Shinken na kao' in the mirror to understand the physical feeling.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.

{彼|かれ}は{試験|しけん}の{時|とき}、とても_____をしていた。

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお}

During an exam, you are focused, so 'serious face' is the correct choice.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Ayudas visuales

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

Yes, if they are focused on a toy or a game.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

{真面目|まじめ}

similar

Earnest/Serious

Dónde usarla

💼

Job Interview

Interviewer: Why do you want this job?

Candidate: {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお}で：{私|わたし}は{御社|おんしゃ}の{理念|りねん}に{共感|きょうかん}しています。

formal
💬

Deep Conversation

Friend: I'm really worried about my future.

You: {真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお}で：{聞|き}かせて。{何|なに}があったの？

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a samurai ('Shinken' = real sword) who has to look very serious because he is holding a sharp blade.

Visual Association

Imagine a student in a library, brow furrowed, eyes locked on a book, completely ignoring the world. That is the classic 'Shinken na kao'.

Story

Kenji was usually a joker. But today, he had a big job interview. He walked into the room, straightened his tie, and put on his 'Shinken na kao'. The interviewer was impressed by his focus and hired him on the spot.

Word Web

真剣顔集中真面目緊張表情

Desafío

Spend 5 minutes today observing people in a public place. Try to identify who has a 'Shinken na kao' and guess why they are focused.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Cara seria

None, it is a direct equivalent.

French moderate

Un air sérieux

French focuses on the 'air' around the person, Japanese on the 'face' itself.

German high

Ein ernstes Gesicht

None, it is a direct equivalent.

Japanese high

{真剣|しんけん}な{顔|かお}

N/A

Arabic high

وجه جاد

None, it is a direct equivalent.

Chinese moderate

严肃的表情

Chinese prefers 'expression' over 'face' in formal contexts.

Korean moderate

진지한 표정

Korean emphasizes the 'expression' over the physical 'face'.

Portuguese high

Cara séria

None.

Easily Confused

真剣な顔 vs {怒|おこ}った{顔|かお}

Learners think a serious face means you are angry.

Serious = focus, Angry = emotion/hostility.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

Yes, if they are focused on a toy or a game.

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