Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Face" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "face", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
俯せ
うつぶせ (utsubuse)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
他者の顔
たしゃのかお (tashanokao)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "face" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 俯せ and 他者の顔.
In Japanese, 俯せ (うつぶせ (utsubuse)) is typically associated with "face down, prone" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Describes the posture of lying down with the face or front of the body facing downwards. Often contrasted with 仰向け.
On the other hand, 他者の顔 (たしゃのかお (tashanokao)) maps to "face of the other" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "face" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "俯せ"
彼女はテーブルに俯せになって泣いていた。
She was crying, face down on the table.
Bilingual Context for "他者の顔"
私は他者の顔に興味があります。
I am interested in face of the other.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼女はテーブルに ＿＿＿ になって泣いていた。" (Meaning: "She was crying, face down on the table.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "俯せ" fits here because it means "face down, prone" in the context of: "She was crying, face down on the table.". "他者の顔" represents "face of the other".