noun
The outer covering of a human or animal body; used in everyday contexts about skin condition, touch, and care.
冬は肌が乾燥しやすい。
My skin tends to get dry in winter.
赤ちゃんの肌はとても柔らかい。
A baby's skin is very soft.
Used in expressions about close physical contact, often with romantic or sexual nuance; common in phrases like 肌を許す (to give oneself to someone) or 肌を重ねる (to sleep together).
See also: 肌を許す
彼女は彼に肌を許した。
She gave herself to him.
恋人と肌を重ねる時間が大切だ。
Time spent in intimate contact with my partner is precious.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
Describes the surface quality or feel of materials, especially wood grain or fabric texture; often used as a suffix in compounds like 木肌 (wood grain) or 布肌 (fabric texture).
この机は木肌が美しい。
This desk has a beautiful wood grain.
絹の肌触りはとても滑らかだ。
The texture of silk is very smooth.
noun, noun, used as a suffix
disposition; temperament; type
Refers to a person's inherent nature or compatibility with others; most common in the phrase 肌が合う (to get along well, to be compatible).
See also: 肌が合う
彼とはどうも肌が合わない。
I just don't get along with him.
新しい上司とは肌が合いそうだ。
I think I'll get along well with the new boss.
Rarely used kanji form; learners should recognize it but use 肌 in production.
The reading はだ is native Japanese; the kanji 肌 is conventionally used for skin and related metaphorical meanings. The alternate reading はだえ is archaic and rarely encountered in modern Japanese.