Represents being sick, protecting yourself from germs, or sometimes just living that “don’t want to deal with people today” mood. Since COVID, it’s also used to mean caution, care, or “I’m staying safe.”
You see your friend coughing all over the office and text your group chat.
bro just sneezed into the air 😷 I’m working from home tomorrow
😷 can also mean “I’m avoiding drama or negativity” — like putting on a “mask” to stay away from bad vibes. It’s sometimes used humorously for emotional self-protection.
In Japan, 😷 feels completely normal — masks are a routine part of daily life. It usually just means “I have a cold” or “I’m being considerate,” not a symbol of isolation or anxiety.
In Western contexts, 😷 can look overly dramatic or remind people of pandemic times; if you just mean “I’m tired” or “don’t wanna go out,” try 😪 or 😴 instead.
See what they share and how they differ to choose the right one.
Both show a face dealing with illness or discomfort. 😷 conveys being sick or protecting oneself from germs, and can imply caution or a mood of not wanting to interact. 🤧 reads more immediate and bodily, a visible sneeze or watery nose. It feels less about prevention and more about active symptoms, whether real allergies, a cold, or theatrical sniffles. The tone of 🤧 is more vulnerable and transient, a moment of congestion or emotion. It signals an actual bodily reaction rather than a protective stance.
You should use 😷 when describing staying safe, protecting others, or a low-energy ‘I’m not up for socializing’ state. You should use 🤧 when indicating you’ve got a cold, seasonal allergies, are currently sneezing, or are playfully pretending to cry.
Related emojis that share similar meanings or usage.
