形相

• Reading: ぎょうそう
• Romaji: gyousou
• Kanji breakdown: 形 (kei/gyou/kata) — form, shape, appearance; 相 (sou/ai) — aspect, appearance, countenance
• Pronunciation: /ɡʲoː.soː/

Meaning

Facial expression; the look on someone's face, especially when intensely emotional, fierce, or alarming. Conveys emotional extremity through outward appearance.

A noun most commonly describing an intense, distorted, or frightening facial expression in narrative and literary contexts. Frequently collocates with 恐ろしい (terrifying), すさまじい (fierce/dreadful), and 変える (to change). Note that 形相 can also mean 'form' or 'morphe' in philosophical contexts (cf. Aristotle), but its dominant everyday meaning in Japanese is facial appearance under strong emotion.

Examples

1. 彼は怒りで形相が変わるほど激しく怒鳴り散らした。 His expression changed so drastically with rage that he screamed furiously.
2. その形相を見た周囲の人々は思わず後ずさりした。 The people around him instinctively recoiled at the look on his face.
3. 修羅場をくぐり抜けてきた老将軍の形相には、言葉にならない凄みがあった。 The face of the old general who had survived countless ordeals carried an indescribable intensity.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, narrative, drama

Tone: vivid

Origin & History

Compound of 形 (form, shape, appearance) and 相 (aspect, appearance, mutual). Together they describe the outward shape of someone's face as a reflection of their inner state.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal