If you thought emojis and Western-style emoticons were fun, there’s something more in that world: kaomoji, an unique and expressive take on digital faces.
Unlike emojis (which are pictorial) or traditional emoticons (like : – ) or : P), kaomoji use a creative mix of characters, symbols, and punctuation to form detailed faces and emotions.
Let’s see what it’s all about!
What Are Kaomoji?
Kaomoji (from “kao” = face, and “moji” = character) are emoticons that originated in Japan; made from Japanese characters and grammar punctuations, and used to express emotions in texting and online communication.
Examples:
Happy: (＾▽＾)
Crying: (T_T)
Excited: (^o^)/
Love: (♥‿♥)
Confused: (o_O)
How Are Kaomoji Different from Emojis?
- Text-based: Kaomoji are made entirely from keyboard characters.
- Orientation: They’re meant to be read straight on (not sideways, so no “tilting your head”).
- Style: Often appear as more detailed and expressive than simple emoticons.
Why People Love Kaomoji
- They’re cute, super creative (you can try creating your own), and culturally unique.
- They work on any device or platform (no image rendering required).
- Perfect for personal messages, fandoms, and fun forums.
How to Type or Copy Kaomoji
- Use appropriate online sources or generators to copy-paste;
- Try taking some time to type out (create) your own, using the symbols sheets (also, you can create some kaomojis from the symbols available on your keyboard);
- Save your favorites in a notes app or text expander for quick access.
Popular Kaomoji by Emotion:
Happy / Positive
(＾▽＾)
(^‿^)
(^o^)/
Sad / Crying
(T_T)
(;_;)
(╥﹏╥)
Love / Cute / Flirty
(♥‿♥)
(｡♥‿♥｡)
(｡◕‿◕｡)
(づ｡◕‿◕｡)づ
Confused / Surprised
(o_O)
(・_・ヾ
(⊙_☉)
Angry / Frustrated
(╬ಠ益ಠ)
(¬_¬)
(｀へ´)
Final Thoughts
Kaomoji are a fun way to add extra emotion and personality to your messages. Whether you’re texting, tweeting, or commenting, try throwing one in… you might just make someone’s day!
Do you have a favorite kaomoji?
Share it below! (≧◡≦)