微笑む

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The godan intransitive verb 微笑む (ほほえむ) means smiling gently rather than laughing aloud.
• Basic usage: Someone can smile at a touching sight, while a continuing appearance in a photograph is 微笑んでいる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Smiling gently
  • It focuses on a quiet expression of warmth rather than laughing aloud.