Shows genuine surprise, wonder, or disbelief. It’s the wide-eyed “whoa!” face you’d use when something unexpected or impressive happens — neutral in tone, not shocked in a bad way, just openly amazed.
You just saw your friend’s new apartment for the first time — and it’s way nicer than you expected.
Wait, this place is actually amazing 😮
Sometimes used to show admiration or mild awe — like a quiet “wow.”
In Japanese chats, 😮 is often paired with expressions like “えっ!?” or “すごい!” to emphasize surprise or discovery, carrying a tone closer to “Oh, really?” rather than astonishment.
Be careful not to mix it up with 😲 or 😧; those look more shocked or anxious, while 😮 stays neutral and friendly.
See what they share and how they differ to choose the right one.
More on hushed face
Both 😮 face with open mouth and 😯 hushed face convey surprise, wonder, or disbelief, and both work to signal that something unexpected or impressive has occurred; they share a neutral, non-threatening tone of amazement and can substitute for each other in many casual reactions. The main difference is intensity and context: 😮 is broader and more overt—wide-eyed and exclamatory, fitting moments of obvious astonishment, big reveals, or emphatic praise—whereas 😯 is softer and quieter, suited to understated or intimate reactions, subtle admiration, or moments when you want to express surprise without overwhelming the conversation; use 😯 to convey a hushed, reflective “oh” that keeps the tone gentle and composed rather than loudly stunned.
Use 😮 when you react aloud to surprising news, an impressive accomplishment, or an obvious wow-worthy moment that calls for a bold, neutral exclamation. Use 😯 when you want to respond with quieter amazement, muted admiration, or a gentle, contemplative surprise that maintains a soft tone.
More on anguished face
Both 😮 face with open mouth and 😧 anguished face convey strong emotional reactions and can be used to punctuate messages that respond to unexpected events, but they differ in tone and intent: 😮 is neutral and bright, signaling genuine surprise, wonder, or impressed disbelief—think of encountering an astonishing fact, a breathtaking photo, or an unexpectedly good result—whereas 😧 carries a somber, uneasy quality, expressing distress, regret, or emotional discomfort, making it suitable for awkward news, condolences, or owning up to a mistake; use 😮 to share or react to positive astonishment without implying harm, and choose 😧 when the moment calls for sympathy, apology, or to acknowledge that something feels wrong or upsetting, as its softer, remorseful tone invites comfort or understanding rather than celebration.
You might use 😮 face with open mouth to react to surprising but pleasant news or an impressive achievement in a neutral, amazed way. Use 😧 anguished face to express regret, sympathy, or discomfort when something goes wrong or feels emotionally difficult.
Related emojis that share similar meanings or usage.
