ドヤ顔
Meaning: Smug face or self-satisfied expression — the look someone makes when they think they've done something impressive.
ドヤ顔 describes the insufferably smug expression of someone who thinks they've nailed it — whether they actually have or not. The ドヤ comes from the Kansai expression どや ('how about that?'), combined with 顔 (face). It is most commonly used to mock someone's self-satisfaction, implying their smugness is unwarranted or excessive. Very popular on social media to describe selfies, viral moments, and overconfident behaviour.
Examples
- 正解したくらいでドヤ顔するなよ。 不过是答对了一题而已,别摆那副得意脸。No pongas cara de doya solo por haber acertado una pregunta.정답 맞힌 것뿐인데 득의양양한 표정 짓지 마.
- ドヤ顔で語ってたけど、全部間違ってたの最高に笑える。 一脸得意地在那说,结果全是错的,笑死了。Iba con su doya-gao soltando el discurso, pero estaba equivocado en todo, fue para morirse de risa.도야가오로 떠들었는데 전부 틀렸던 게 너무 웃겨.
- 自撮りのドヤ顔が鬱陶しくてフォロー外した。 自拍时那副得意脸太烦人了,直接取关了。Le quité el follow porque sus selfis con doya-gao eran insoportables.셀카의 도야가오가 짜증나서 팔로우 끊었어.
Pronunciation
/do.ja.ga.o/
Usage Guide
Context: friends, social media, internet, casual conversation
Tone: mocking, amused, critical
✓ Do Say
- ドヤ顔やめてよ、恥ずかしいから。 (Stop making that smug face — it's embarrassing.)别摆那副得意脸,太丢人了。(别摆那副得意脸了——太尴尬了。)Quita esa doya-gao, que me da vergüenza ajena. (Stop making that smug face — it's embarrassing.)도야가오 그만해, 부끄러우니까. (그 득의양양한 표정 좀 그만해 — 창피하니까.)
- ドヤ顔で言ったのに誰も反応しなくて地獄だった。 (They said it with a smug face but nobody reacted — it was hell.)一脸得意地说了,结果没人搭理,场面简直地狱。(一脸得意地说了,结果没人回应——太惨了。)Lo dijo con su doya-gao y nadie reaccionó, fue un infierno. (They said it with a smug face but nobody reacted — it was hell.)도야가오로 말했는데 아무도 반응 안 해서 지옥이었어. (잘난 척하며 말했는데 아무도 반응 안 해서 지옥이었어.)
✗ Don't Say
- 上司がプレゼンした後に「ドヤ顔でしたね」は危険 (Saying 'that was quite the smug face' after a boss's presentation is dangerous)上司做完演讲后说'您刚才一脸得意呢'很危险(在上司做完演讲后说'那可真是一副得意脸'是很危险的)Decirle al jefe «menuda doya-gao» después de su presentación es jugársela (Saying 'that was quite the smug face' after a boss's presentation is dangerous)상사가 프레젠테이션한 후에 '도야가오였네요'는 위험하다 (상사의 발표 후 '잘난 척하는 표정이었네요'라고 말하는 건 위험하다)
Common Mistakes
- Not knowing the Kansai origin of ドヤ — understanding it helps grasp the 'how about that?' smugness
- Thinking ドヤ顔 is positive — it is almost always used critically or mockingly
Origin & History
Combines ドヤ (from Kansai dialect どや, meaning 'how about that?') with 顔 (face). The compound became a viral buzzword in the late 2000s–2010s, popularised through TV variety shows and social media.
Cultural Context
Era: Late 2000s–2010s buzzword
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal informal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. The ドヤ component originates from Kansai dialect but the compound is standard nationwide slang.
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