ひげ

• Reading: ひげ
• Romaji: hige
• Kanji breakdown: 髭 (shi/hige) — mustache, beard (usually written in hiragana)
• Pronunciation: /çi.ɡe/

Meaning

Beard; mustache; whiskers. Facial hair in general, regardless of location on the face.

A noun usually written in hiragana. In kanji, different characters distinguish types: 髭 (mustache), 鬚 (chin beard), 髯 (cheek whiskers), but ひげ in hiragana covers all. Common with を生やす (to grow), を剃る (to shave), and が生える (grows naturally).

Examples

1. 父は毎朝ひげを剃ります。 My father shaves his beard every morning.
2. あの俳優はひげを生やしたほうがかっこいい。 That actor looks cooler with a beard.
3. 猫のひげはとても大切なセンサーです。 A cat's whiskers are very important sensors.

Usage Guide

Context: appearance, grooming, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 髭 combines 髟 (long hair radical) with 此 (this). The word ひげ has existed since Old Japanese, originally encompassing all types of facial hair.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal