Translation guide
How to express the physical action of raising one's eyebrows, as well as the figurative meaning of showing surprise, skepticism, or disapproval, in Japanese.
Describing the literal movement of lifting the eyebrows.
The most direct and common way to say 'raise one's eyebrows' as a physical action.
彼は驚いて眉を上げた。
He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Literally 'to furrow one's brows', but often used when someone raises their eyebrows in disapproval or suspicion. Note that this can also mean frowning.
彼女は彼の失礼な態度に眉をひそめた。
She raised her eyebrows at his rude attitude.
Expressing that someone is surprised, often conveyed through the action of raising eyebrows.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to open one's eyes wide in surprise', which is a natural Japanese equivalent for showing surprise, often replacing the eyebrow-raising gesture.
そのニュースを聞いて、彼女は目を丸くした。
She raised her eyebrows in surprise at the news.
A more literal description: 'to raise one's eyebrows in surprise'. It is clear but slightly wordy.
彼は驚いて眉を上げた。
He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Conveying doubt, disbelief, or mild disapproval, often through a facial expression.
Commonly used to show disapproval or suspicion, similar to raising an eyebrow in English. It can imply a frown or a skeptical look.
その提案に、部長は眉をひそめた。
The manager raised his eyebrows at the proposal.
Means 'to make a puzzled/skeptical face'. It captures the feeling of raising an eyebrow in doubt.
彼は怪訝な顔をして私を見た。
He looked at me with raised eyebrows.
Literally 'to have a half-believing, half-doubting expression'. More formal and descriptive.
彼女は半信半疑の表情をして、話を聞いていた。
She listened with raised eyebrows, half in doubt.
Describing an action or event that makes people raise their eyebrows metaphorically.
Causative form meaning 'to make someone raise their eyebrows (in disapproval)'. Used for actions that cause a negative reaction.
彼の無礼な発言は、多くの人の眉をひそめさせた。
His rude remark raised many eyebrows.
Means 'to cause controversy' or 'to raise public discussion'. Often used when something raises eyebrows in a social context.
その政策は物議を醸した。
The policy raised eyebrows.
A more general phrase meaning 'to give surprise'. Can be used when the eyebrow-raising is due to surprise rather than disapproval.
彼の突然の辞任は、社内に驚きを与えた。
His sudden resignation raised eyebrows in the company.
眉を上げる (mayu o ageru) is a neutral description of the physical action. 眉をひそめる (mayu o hisomeru) often carries a negative nuance of disapproval or suspicion, even though it literally means 'to furrow one's brows'. In many contexts, 眉をひそめる is the more natural choice for the figurative 'raise eyebrows'.
彼の服装に眉をひそめる人もいた。
Some people raised their eyebrows at his outfit.
Directly translating 'raise eyebrows' as 眉を上げる in figurative contexts can sound unnatural. Use expressions like 眉をひそめる or 物議を醸す for disapproval, and 目を丸くする for surprise.