Translation guide
The English word 'cuticle' most commonly refers to the thin skin at the base of fingernails and toenails. It can also refer to the outer layer of hair or the protective layer on plants and insects. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these contexts.
The thin layer of skin at the base of a fingernail or toenail.
The most common and natural word for the cuticle around nails. Used in everyday conversation and beauty contexts.
甘皮が乾燥している。
My cuticles are dry.
甘皮を処理する。
I push back my cuticles.
Explicitly says 'nail cuticle' for clarity, though 甘皮 alone usually implies nail cuticle.
爪の甘皮がささくれている。
The cuticles around my nails are peeling.
Anatomical/medical term for the eponychium (cuticle). Rarely used outside professional contexts.
爪上皮を傷つけないように注意する。
Be careful not to damage the cuticle.
The protective outer layer of a hair strand.
The loanword is standard in hair care contexts. Widely understood.
髪のキューティクルが傷んでいる。
My hair cuticles are damaged.
このシャンプーはキューティクルを保護する。
This shampoo protects the hair cuticle.
Scientific/technical term for hair cuticle. Not used in daily conversation.
毛小皮の構造を顕微鏡で観察する。
Observe the structure of the hair cuticle under a microscope.
The waxy or hard protective layer on plants or insects.
Biological term for the cuticle of plants, insects, etc. Used in scientific contexts.
植物の葉はクチクラで覆われている。
Plant leaves are covered with a cuticle.
Another technical term for cuticle in biology, less common than クチクラ.
昆虫の角皮は硬い。
The insect cuticle is hard.
甘皮 only refers to the skin around nails. Using it for hair or plant cuticles will cause confusion.
In nail salons or beauty articles, 甘皮 is the standard term. キューティクル is standard for hair care.