あからがお
Japanese
editAlternative spellings |
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赤ら顔 赭ら顔 |
Etymology
editAttested from the 17th century.[1] From 赤 (akara, “reddish, reddened”) + 顔 (kao, “face”). The kao changes to gao as an instance of rendaku (連濁). Compare 赤らんだ (akaranda, “ruddy”).
Pronunciation
editNoun
editあからがお • (akaragao) ←あからがほ (akaragafo)?
Usage notes
editOften used in reference to a face made reddish by sunburn, drinking alcohol, or other temporary phenomenon. Compared to terms such as 赤ら少女 (akara otome “rose-complected maiden”), wherein a red hue implies beauty, あからがお has a more neutral connotation.