A Complete List of Japanese Emoticons to Copy & Paste

Looking for Japanese emoticons (kaomojis) to spice up your texts, posts, or social media bio? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of emoticons to express happiness, love, sadness, confusion, and more—with exclusive tips from a language teacher. We’ll also teach you how to get emoticons on your phone so you can send them to your friends, crushes, or partners!

What are kaomojis?

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A summary image of classic Japanese emoticons and their meanings.

Language teacher Claire Wang says Japanese emoticons are a popular way to express feelings through text. She says some of the most popular emoticons (or kaomojis) include:

(>_<): worried
(^ᴗ^): happy
٩(●ᴗ●)۶: being cute

Section 1 of 23:

Classic Japanese Emoticons

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The following Japanese emoticons are classic and timeless. Sprinkle them into your text messages or drop them in your social media caption or bio to be extra expressive. Here are the most commonly used examples and what they mean:
- (n_n) - smile
- (๐‿๐) - amazed
- (^๐^) - glad
- (^ᴗ^) - happy^{[1]
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- (o_O) - incredulous
- (-_-;) - I messed it up
- (-_O) - wink
- (._.) - uh…oh
- (^) - astonished
- (x.x) - dead
- (O) - incredible
- (‘_’) - serious
- 8(>_<)8 - jealous
- (-_-) - sleepy tired
- (>_<) - ouch; worried^{[2]
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- (=_=) - bored
- (๐_๐) - seriously
- (u_u) - sleepy or sad
- (9_9) - didn’t sleep
- (;_;) - tears
- (^_^) - happy
- (-) - I love it
- (;o;) - crying bad
- (xOx) - noooo
- (> >) - awry
- (@_@) - dizzy
- *(^o^)* - happier
- (!_!) - sad
- (.o.´) - confused
- (>o<) - yuck
- (~o~) - you’re crazy
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Claire Wang is a language education expert and the Founder of LingoClass, London’s leading school for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Her classes are renowned for being dynamic, practical, and immersive.

Section 2 of 23:

Cute Japanese Emoticons

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If you want to embrace the coquette aesthetic or show off your cute side, share a sweet smiley or blushing face emoticon. For extra adorableness, attach music notes, sparkles, bows, flowers, or angel wings:
- ٩(●ᴗ●)۶^{[3]
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- (◍•ᴗ•◍)
- ≽^•༚• ྀི≼
- (⁀ᗢ⁀)
- ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )
- (..◜ᴗ◝..)
- (❁º◡º❁)
- ᕙ(‾̀◡‾́)ᕗ
- (๑꧆◡꧆๑)
- ♫꒰･‿･๑꒱
- ٩(•͈ ꇴ •͈)و ̑̑❀
- ଘ꒰ ๑ ˃̶ ᴗ ᵒ̴̶̷๑꒱و ̑̑
- (￣▽￣)/♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪

Section 3 of 23:

Sparkly Japanese Emoticons

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Add a touch of fun and whimsy with these sparkling emoticons. Combine them with text or a short quote to spruce up your social media page, or sprinkle them randomly in a text convo to make the other person smile:
- ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹♡ˎˊ˗
- ＼(★^∀^★)／
- ⋆. 𐙚 ˚𐔌՞. .՞𐦯₊˚⊹
- (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
- ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ )و✧*｡
- ☆ﾟ°˖* ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
- (∩^o^)⊃━☆゜.*.☘︎ ݁˖
- .𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅>ᴗ< ⭑.ᐟ
- ☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆
- (●o’∪`o)ノ―♪`*.‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚
- . ݁˖ .⋆ ݁｡˚⋆ (.◜◡◝) ⋆˚｡⋆. ݁˖ .
- ＋。゜~”（゜∀゜）゜。＋

Section 4 of 23:

Happy Japanese Emoticons

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When you don’t want to mess around with tons of text, sending a smiling emoticon is the move! It’s an easy way to communicate happiness and excitement, so here are some extra cute options to help you get started:
- ◡̈
- •ᴗ•
- ˙ ͜ʟ˙
- മ◡മ
- (´∀`)
- ɷ◡ɷ
- ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶
- (^ヮ^)/
- ｡^‿^｡
- ◉‿◉
- (⁀ᗢ⁀)
- ( ◠‿◠ )

Section 5 of 23:

Love Japanese Emoticons

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If you’re texting your crush or partner, send them a romantic (or flirty) emoticon to express your feelings. From kissing pairs to lovey-dovey heart eyes, the following options are sure to make the other person feel adored:
- ( '}{' )
- (ʃƪ˘ﻬ˘)
- (♥ω♥*)ﾉ
- (♡.♡)
- ♡´･ᴗ･`♡
- (´♡‿♡`)
- (ˆ⌣ˆ)ε｀●)
- (♡>㉨<♡)
- (♡♥‿♥♡)
- (っ˘з(˘⌣˘ ) ♡
- ( ´ ∀ `)ノ～ ♡
- (๑′ᴗ‵๑)Ｉ Lᵒᵛᵉᵧₒᵤ♥
- ♡＼(￣▽￣)／♡
- Σ>―(〃°ω°〃)♡→

Section 6 of 23:

Shy & Blushing Japanese Emoticons

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Feeling super shy? These sweet emoticons communicate that you’re a little nervous or self-conscious. Send any of the following if someone compliments you and you don’t know what to say, or if your crush is flirting with you:
- (ᵔ.ᵔ)
- ꈍ .̮ ꈍ
- (｡･･｡)
- (/ω＼)
- (*´∀`*)
- (*´-｀*)
- (^◇^；)
- (*≧∀≦*)
- (⌒_⌒;)
- (〃▽〃)
- ( ◡‿◡ *)
- (／≧ω＼)
- (ง ื▿ ื)ว
- (ノ*°▽°*)
- (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄)

Section 7 of 23:

Winking Japanese Emoticons

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There’s nothing more fun, flirty, and playful than sending a winking emoticon. It’s the perfect way to soften a message, show that you’re joking, or tease your crush casually. Just be mindful of context and who you’re texting, so you don’t accidentally lead them on:
- (>ᴗ•)
- (╹ꇴ◠)
- (◕‿↼)
- (- ‿◦ )
- ( ಠ‿<)
- (-‿◦☀)
- (・_＋)
- (๑>؂•̀๑)
- (*^ ‿ <*)
- (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
- ★~(◠‿◕✿)
- ♡( •ॢ◡-ॢ)✧˖° ♡

Section 8 of 23:

Shrug Japanese Emoticons

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No clue what’s going on, or don’t know what to say? Send a shrug emoticon to express a lack of knowledge, indifference, or uncertainty. It’s sort of like saying “I don’t know” or “I don’t care,” so consider the context of the conversation and use it carefully:
- ʅ(ツ)ʃ
- ┐('д')┌
- ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- ╮(╯∀╰)╭
- ┐(￣ヘ￣)┌
- 乁( ⁰͡ Ĺ̯ ⁰͡ ) ㄏ
- ლ(ﾟдﾟლ)
- ¯\_(ತ_ʖತ)_/¯
- ╮(╯_╰)╭
- ლ（╹ε╹ლ）
- ¯\_(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)_/¯
- ¯\_(°╭╮°)_/¯

Section 9 of 23:

Sad Japanese Emoticons

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In your feels? Express sadness, loneliness, heartbreak, or depression with the following emoticons. They convey that you’re feeling down and in need of a warm hug or some comforting words:
- (T＿T)
- (༎ຶ ෴ ༎ຶ)
- (⌯˃̶᷄ ﹏ ˂̶᷄⌯)
- (T_T)≡[ ]༄
- (༎ຶ⌑༎ຶ)☂︎
- ( ͒˃̩̩⌂˂̩̩ ͒)
- (ㅠ_ㅠ)
- (̥ ̥এ ̼ এ)̥̥
- (╯︵╰,)✲
- (இ﹏இ`｡)
- (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ
- (๑′̥̥̥▵‵̥̥̥ ૂ๑)❄

Section 10 of 23:

Angry Japanese Emoticons

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Fixing to crash out or lose your temper? Take a look through the emoticons below and send one to let others know you’re upset, triggered, or on the verge of exploding:
- -`д´-
- (⩺_⩹)
- (ง •̀_•́)ง
- (⋋▂⋌)
- ⸨◺_◿⸩
- (¬▂¬)
- (╬ `益´)
- (‡▼益▼)
- (ᕗ ͠° ਊ ͠° )ᕗ
- (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ
- ლ(⋋·⋌)ლ
- 凸ಠ益ಠ)凸

Section 11 of 23:

Laughing Japanese Emoticons

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Want to send a silly reaction that’s more impactful than “LOL?” Then, turn to these cheeky laughing emojis! We have tons of options, whether you’re trying to hold in your laugh or you’re absolutely dying with laughter:
- (o≧▽≦)o
- (灬º 艸º灬)
- ( ´ 艸｀)
- (●´∀｀●)ﾌﾞﾊﾊﾊ!
- (*´艸)(艸｀*)
- ٩( ᗒᗨᗕ )۶
- ( ^ิ艸^ิﾟ)
- ʱªʱªʱª(ᕑᗢूᓫ∗)
- (≧m≦)
- (ﾉ´∀｀*)
- ꉂ (´∀｀)ʱªʱªʱª
- ʱªʱªʱª(˃̣̣̥˂̣̣̥)

Section 12 of 23:

Surprised Japanese Emoticons

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If your friend shares some shocking news, send a surprised emoticon to convey your feelings. Here are some wide-eyed and open-mouthed options that mean “OMG”:
- ∑(; °Д°)
- (⚆ᗝ⚆)
- ( ◐ o ◑ )
- (⊙o⊙)
- (°ロ°) !
- (〇o〇;)
- ฅ(• ɪ •)ฅ
- (ʘ∀ʘ)
- (✧□✧)
- (≧o≦)
- (･o･)
- (〇o〇;)

Section 13 of 23:

Confused Japanese Emoticons

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We all have moments where we’re completely out of the loop… and that’s when confused emotions come in handy. Here are some cute and playful options that convey you’re totally lost:
- (?_?)
- (‘◇’?)
- (●__●)
- (ㆆ_ㆆ)
- (◑.◑)
- (ꏿ﹏ꏿ)
- (•᷄⌓•᷅)
- (⚆ _ ⚆)
- (・◇・)?
- (⊙_☉')
- (゜_゜)
- (〇_〇;)

Section 14 of 23:

Thinking Japanese Emoticons

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Whether you’re questioning your existence or just wondering about what to eat for dinner, the following emoticons are perfect for expressing thought. You can also send them if you’re indecisive or can’t think of an answer to a question that someone asks you:
- (╭ರ_•́)
- (￢з￢)
- (ー_ーゞ
- ٩◔̯◔۶
- (*>ω<*)
- (´._.`).｡oஇ()
- (ᇂ_Jᇂ )
- (◔ヘ◔)
- ( ´･ω･)…｡oо○
- (⁽͈˙̑⁾˔̉⁽˙̑⁾͈)˚º꒰꒱
- ( `_ゝ´)
- ( ˇ÷ˇ　 )

Section 15 of 23:

Eating Japanese Emoticons

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Burgers and fries… oh my! The following eating emoticons are ideal for sharing your meal of the day or making dinner plans with others. You can even sprinkle in some standard emojis to convey the exact food or drink you’re consuming:
- (*^.^)つ♨
- ( -.-)つ旦~
- ♨(⋆‿⋆)♨
- (>.<)つ🍙
- 🍉ԅ( ͒ ۝ ͒ )
- ( ' ' )ϞϞϞ🍵
- ( •́ .̫ •̀ )且🍓
- ~旦_ (^O^ )
- (=◕ᴥ◕=)且🍖
- ‧₊˚ ⋅(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) ‧₊˚ ⋅
- ( ^_^)3 nom nom
- ( ◑‿◑)ɔ┏🍟--🍔┑٩(^◡^ )

Section 16 of 23:

Dancing Japanese Emoticons

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If someone shares positive news or invites you to go out, send a dancing emoticon to show excitement or say you’re down. It’s celebratory, cheerful, and conveys good vibes:
- ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ
- ~( ˘▾˘~)
- ヾ(^ ^ゞ
- ♪┌|∵|┘♪
- ( ﾉ･ｪ･ )ﾉ
- (｢• ω •)｢
- ヽ(•‿•)ノ
- ╰( ⊹o⊹)╮
- ( ノ ^o^)ノ
- ﾍ(￣ー￣)ﾉ
- ⌌⌈ ╹므╹ ⌉⌏
- ┏(-_-)┛┗(-_- )┓

Section 17 of 23:

Thumbs-Up Japanese Emoticons

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Drop a thumbs-up emoticon when you agree with a statement or want to reassure someone. It’s one of the best ways to make them feel seen, heard, and supported:
- (･ω･)b
- d(>_・ )
- ദ്ദി(ᵔᗜᵔ)
- (^▽^)👍
- d(⌒ー⌒)
- b(~_^)d
- ദ്ദി◝ ⩊ ◜.ᐟ
- (＾＾)ｂ OK!
- (☆｀• ω •´)ｂ
- ヾ( ์ ω ์ )b
- d( ᐖ )人( ᐛ )b
- d(⸝｡⸝◉⸝ω⸝◉⸝｡⸝)b

Section 18 of 23:

Table Flip Japanese Emoticons

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No other emoticon screams “I’m done” or “f*** this” than the table flip. It’s expressive, iconic, and straight to the point, perfect for dramatic tantrums or moments of rage:
- (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
- (┛ಠ_ಠ)┛彡┻━┻
- ┻┻ ︵㇏(òДó㇏)
- (ノಠ ∩ಠ)ノ彡( \o°o)\
- (╯°Д°）╯︵/(.□ . )
- (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ ┻━┻
- (⌣_⌣) ~ ︵ ┻━┻
- (ノ￣皿￣)ノ ┻━┻
- (┛`д´)┛彡┻━┻
- (ノÒ益Ó)ノ彡▔▔▏
- (ﾉ>_<)ﾉ ~┻━┻
- ┻━┻ ︵ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ︵ ┻━┻

Section 19 of 23:

Sunglasses Japanese Emoticons

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Too cool for school? Send one of these sunglass-sporting emoticons when you’re feeling confident or unbothered. They convey that you’re just livin’ and chillin’, without a care in the world:
- (⌐■_■)
- (⌐▨_▨)
- (*▼▽▼*)
- ⊂(▀¯▀⊂ )
- (७⌐■ل͟■)७
- ┌༼▀̿ Ĺ̯▀̿༽┐
- ( •_• )>⌐■-■
- └( ▼▼ )┐
- ☀(▀U ▀-͠)
- ☀🌴༼▀̿ Ĺ̯▀̿༽
- ┏(‘▀_▀’)ノ♬♪
- ヾ(*▼・▼)ﾉ⌒☆

Section 20 of 23:

Sword Japanese Emoticons

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If you’re into mythology, anime, fencing, or any other media involving swords, we’ve got the perfect emoticons for you! Here are some cool options to showcase your interests, poke fun at your friends, or fight back metaphorically:
- (ง⌐□ل͜□)ง━❂════>
- ( `ω´ )۶▭ι═══════ﺤ
- -═══════ι▬ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)
- ⚔️(ಠ_ಠ)⚔️
- (*⁰▿⁰)つ＝lニニフ
- ( -_•)+=={:::::::::::::::::>
- ‹═ι▬⸦( ✧ᴗ✧)⸧▬ι═ﺤ
- ( ͝° ͜ʖ͡°)=o==[]::::::::::>
- (ง ͠ ᵒ̌ Дᵒ̌ )▬▬ι═══════ﺤ
- cxxx{}:::::::::::::::::::::::::::>
- (ง ͠ ᵒ̌ Дᵒ̌ )▬▬ι═══════ﺤ
- -═══════ι▬▬ﺤ(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿)

Section 21 of 23:

Angel & Devil Japanese Emoticons

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Whether you’re 99% angel and 1% devil, or 1% angel and 99% devil, the following emojis capture both naughty and nice sides. Drop the devil if you want to be flirty or mischievous, or send the angel if you want to be cute and lovable:
- ପ꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ଓ
- ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ✩‧˚
- (✿˘ᵕ˘)ʚ✰ɞ
- ଘ(੭ºัᴗºั)━☆ﾟ*:.
- (˘ω˘)ʚɞ˚
- ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙˚(˵˘ω˘˵)/˚•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚
- ( ◣∀◢)ψ
- ( •̀ᴗ•́ )و ̑̑
- (｀∀´)Ψ
- …φ( 。。*)
- Ѱζ༼ᴼل͜ᴼ༽ᶘѰ
- ｀(^▼^)´↗

Section 22 of 23:

Animal Japanese Emoticons

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From kittens and puppies to bears and spiders, few things are more adorable than animal emoticons. Here are some cute options you can copy and paste to social media or any text box:
- ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
- ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
- ₍𝄐⁀̲𝄐₎
- UᵔᴥᵔU
- ≽^•༚• ྀི≼
- ૮ - ﻌ • ა⁩
- Ꮚ･ꈊ･Ꮚ
- (*´ｪ｀*)
- (ﾐ^ᆽ^ﾐ)
- ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ
- ໒꒰ྀིᵔ ᵕ ᵔ ꒱ྀི১
- ଘʕ੭·͡ᴥ·ʔ ੭
- ฅ/ᐠ˶> ﻌ<˶ᐟ\ฅ
- ᄽ(☉_☉)ᄿ

Section 23 of 23:

How to Get Japanese Emoticons

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Download the Japanese Kana keyboard to easily send kaomojis. Launch the Settings app, then tap on “General” and then “Keyboards.” Select “Add New Keyboard…” and scroll down and select “Japanese.” Finally, click on “Kana” to get access to classic kaomojis.^{[4]
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- Or, copy and paste emoticons directly from your phone’s browser. Press and hold your screen until it highlights the emoji you want to copy. Tap the copy button, then move to the place you want the emoji to appear. Press down on your screen until the paste button shows up, then select paste.^{[5]
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According to one Reddit user, people in Japan don’t really use Japanese emoticons anymore because they almost exclusively use an app called LINE, which lets them use custom emojis and stickers instead of SMS.

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