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.
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.
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.
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.
My skin dries out when winter comes.
This wood has a smooth grain and feels nice to the touch.
This soap is gentle on the skin.
In summer, more people wear clothes that show skin.
I take care of my skin every night.
chilly; unpleasantly cold
bare skin; naked skin
human skin · body warmth; warmth of the skin
body; one's person
underwear; underclothes; lingerie
feel; texture; touch · manner with people; personal manner; feel of dealing with someone
texture; grain · bare skin; natural skin; scalp · bare ground; surface of the earth · surface of a sword blade
soft fair skin
fair skin; white skin; light complexion · vitiligo; leukoderma
bare rock surface; rock face
mountain surface; bare mountain face
snow's surface; snowscape · fair skin; lily-white skin
soft, smooth skin like mochi
skin color; skin tone
skin as white and smooth as an egg
skin where two lovers first touch
bark (of a tree)
bare shoulder; one shoulder exposed
endocarp
chill; chilliness
texture; feel · skin texture; skin quality; skin type
broodmare
grazed skin; abraded skin · bare mountain surface · nakedness; nudity
Rarely used kanji form; learners should recognize it but use 肌 in production.