Shows affection, gratitude, or gentle appreciation — like a cat giving a soft thank-you kiss. It’s often used to say “aww thanks,” “love ya,” or to express warmth without being too romantic.
Your friend helps you finish a big project on time.
You saved my life 😽 thank youuuu
😽 can be a sweet, non-serious form of affection — like a friendly hug in emoji form. In flirty chats, it can carry a gentle, shy tone rather than passionate love. It’s the “soft cat kiss,” used to keep things tender, comforting, or a little teasing without crossing lines.
In Japan, 😽 is often used in the “pet-like affection” sense — closer to how you’d send a kiss to your cat or favorite mascot, not a romantic partner. It fits the “癒し” (iyashi, healing) culture: warm, cute, and emotionally safe. On LINE, it can even mean “thanks for your kindness” rather than “I like you.” The vibe is comforting sweetness, not flirtation.
See what they share and how they differ to choose the right one.
Both show a puckered mouth and closed eyes, giving a gentle impression. 😽 conveys playful affection and a feline charm, with a lighthearted, grateful tone. 😚 feels softer and more humanly tender, warmer and more openly affectionate. It reads as sincere emotion rather than playful whimsy. The mood of 😚 leans toward intimate warmth and devotion, while 😽 keeps a cute, teasing distance.
You might use 😽 when responding to a small kindness among friends or when you want to sound cute and casually appreciative. Use 😚 when you want to express a softer, more heartfelt affection or gratitude toward someone closer or in more intimate contexts.
Related emojis that share similar meanings or usage.
