Overview
Style tags
Interpretation
Overview
The (ノ_<、) kaomoji shows a small character crying while using their hand to cover or wipe their face. The pose feels like someone who is hurt or overwhelmed but still trying to hide their tears. It carries a mix of sadness, embarrassment and a gentle, soft kind of vulnerability, like saying “I’m really sad, but I don’t want everyone to see me like this.”
Visual structure
- The outer ( ) brackets form the head or outline of the character, making the expression feel compact and huddled.
- Inside, the sequence ノ_<、 encodes the emotion:
- ノ is drawn like an arm or hand lifted up, as if the character is using their sleeve to wipe tears or cover one side of the face.
- < can be read as a squeezed, closed eye, showing discomfort, pain or embarrassment.
- The _ (sometimes implied around the eye) suggests a small, tense mouth, like someone trying to hold back sobbing.
- 、 acts as a tear drop sliding down, confirming that the character is actually crying, not just pouting.
Overall, (ノ_<、) looks like someone turning slightly away, arm up, quietly wiping their tears.
Emotional nuance and atmosphere
This kaomoji combines several emotional colors:
- Sadness and hurt – it clearly shows someone who is emotionally in pain or feeling down.
- Embarrassment or shyness – the raised arm and partially covered face imply that the person doesn’t really want others to look at them crying.
- A bit of guilt or self-blame – it works well when you feel bad about something you did, not just about what happened to you.
- Desire for gentle comfort – the small, curling posture invites a soft, caring response rather than argument or heavy lecturing.
Compared with loud crying faces, (ノ_<、) feels quieter and more introspective, like a private moment being shared.
Typical use cases
You might use (ノ_<、) when:
- You made a mistake, got scolded or corrected, and now you feel sad and a bit ashamed.
- You are apologizing to someone important and want to show that you’re honestly upset with yourself.
- Something hurt your feelings, but you don’t want to make a big drama about it in the chat.
- You feel like a burden or that you troubled others and want to show sincere regret.
- You are telling a story about an embarrassing or painful moment from the past, half laughing and half still feeling the sting.
In short, (ノ_<、) is a cute, hand-covering crying face suited for quiet sadness, embarrassment, guilt and a gentle wish to be understood and comforted.
Usage guide
Tips
How to use (ノ_<、) naturally
The (ノ_<、) kaomoji is great when you feel sad, embarrassed or guilty, but in a gentle, quiet way rather than full dramatic meltdown. It looks like you are wiping tears with your sleeve and turning away a little, so it works best when you want to say “I’m hurt and a bit ashamed” without overdoing the intensity.
When to use
- After being scolded or corrected: You know the other person has a point and you honestly feel bad about it.
- Soft, emotional apologies: To add warmth and vulnerability when you say sorry to someone you care about.
- Shy sadness: When something makes you sad, but you don’t want to sound like you’re starting a big drama.
- Feeling like you troubled others: You caused extra work or worry and want to show that you genuinely regret it.
- Telling painful or embarrassing stories: Half joking, half admitting that your heart really hurt back then.
Example lines
- "I made another typo in the announcement again (ノ_<、)"
- "Sorry for making you worry so much about me (ノ_<、)"
- "Teacher pointed out all my mistakes in front of everyone today (ノ_<、)"
- "I know it’s my fault… I’ll try harder next time (ノ_<、)"
Tips and notes
- Pair (ノ_<、) with a short explanation so people clearly understand whether you’re more sad, shy, or apologizing.
- It fits best in close relationships: friends, partners, siblings or trusted online buddies.
- Avoid using it in very formal contexts like work emails, official announcements or serious professional chats.
- Don’t overuse it to force sympathy; it is more touching when used for moments that genuinely hurt or matter to you.
- Because it has a soft, cute feeling, it’s perfect for expressing vulnerability in a way that invites gentle support instead of argument.
Usage examples
Real conversation samples that feature this kaomoji.
Example 1
Example 2