マニキュアを塗る
manikyua o nuru
The English phrase 'paint nails' is expressed in Japanese as マニキュアを塗る (manikyua o nuru).
The phrase is used to describe the act of applying colored polish to the fingernails or toenails. For more specialized work, the expression ネイルアートを施す is used to refer to carrying out nail art and ネイルペイントをする incorporates the English loanword for 'nail paint'. If you are performing the action for another person, you can use the form 塗ってあげる to express the act of painting someone else's nails.
What does it mean word for word?
The term マニキュア (manikyua) literally refers to the nail polish itself, a word derived from the English word 'manicure'.
Which one should you use?
There are several ways to express this depending on the context. ネイルを塗る and ネイルをやる are more casual ways to say 'paint nails'. While マニキュア refers specifically to the liquid polish, ネイル is used more broadly for nail art or general nail care.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the polite past tense, such as saying 'painted nails', use マニキュアを塗りました.
How do you pronounce it?
manikyua o nuru
Did you know?
- The phrase 施す in ネイルアートを施す is a formal verb usually reserved for performing a ceremony, providing charity or applying a professional treatment.
- The verb 塗る used in マニキュアを塗る is the same word used for painting a wall or spreading butter on toast.
- When using 塗ってあげる to paint someone else's nails, the verb あげる explicitly frames the act as a favor or a gift to the other person.
Examples in context
- 私はマニキュアを塗りますI paint my nails.
- ネイルサロンで爪にマニキュアを塗ってもらいましたI got my nails painted with nail polish at the nail salon.
- 彼女は自分の爪にネイルアートを施しますShe does nail art on her own nails.
- 今日はネイルを塗る予定だよI plan to paint my nails today.
- 友達と一緒にネイルをやって楽しんだI had fun painting nails with my friend.
- 自分でマニキュアを塗るのが好きです。Jibun de manikyua o nuru no ga suki desu.I like to paint my own nails.
- 週末にマニキュアを塗る予定です。Shūmatsu ni manikyua o nuru yotei desu.I plan to paint my nails this weekend.
