Translation guide
The concept of making something white or lighter in color, including skin lightening, teeth whitening, and bleaching.
To make one's skin lighter or whiter, often for cosmetic reasons.
The standard term for skin whitening or brightening in cosmetics. Often used in product names and advertising.
このクリームは美白効果があります。
This cream has a whitening effect.
Loanword from English, used for cosmetic whitening, especially in product names or treatments.
I'm using a whitening serum.
A more literal phrase meaning 'to make skin white'. Less common in product marketing but used in general conversation.
How do you whiten your skin?
To make teeth whiter, usually through dental treatment or products.
To remove color or make something white using chemicals.
The general term for bleaching or whitening fabrics, hair, or other materials.
I whitened the shirt using bleach.
A simple verb phrase meaning 'to make white'. Can be used for various objects.
I want to whiten this cloth.
Loanword for 'bleach', often used for hair bleaching or as a product name.
To make an image or part of an image whiter or brighter.
美白 (bihaku) is the traditional Japanese term for skin whitening and carries connotations of beauty and clarity. ホワイトニング (howaitoningu) is a loanword used for both skin and teeth whitening, often in commercial contexts. For teeth, ホワイトニング is standard; for skin, 美白 is more common in product names.
In some contexts, 'whitening' can be a sensitive topic due to historical and social implications. When discussing skin whitening, be aware that 美白 is a common beauty term in Japan and is not necessarily associated with racial connotations, but the nuance may differ from English usage.
髪をブリーチした。
I bleached my hair.