noun
Refers to the overall appearance of a person's face, including expression and features. Slightly formal or literary compared to 顔 (かお).
彼の面相には疲れがにじんでいた。
Weariness was evident in his countenance.
犯人の面相を覚
Do you remember the suspect's features?
顔 is the common word for 'face' in everyday speech. 面相 is more specific to the look or expression of the face, often used in descriptive or formal contexts.
表情 means 'facial expression' and focuses on the emotional display. 面相 covers the broader physical features and overall impression of the face.
Compound of 面 (めん, 'face') and 相 (そう, 'appearance, aspect'). The reading is on'yomi, and the word has been used in Japanese for centuries to describe facial features.