ニキビ
nikibi
The English word "pimple" is translated into Japanese as ニキビ (nikibi).
ニキビ refers to an inflamed spot on the surface of the skin.
Meaning: inflamed spot on the surface of the skin (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nikibi
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word キビ refers to millet, a small grain. This is why the word for 'pimple' sounds like a type of cereal crop.
- The word ニキビ is often used in Japanese names for various types of food, such as the snacks known as ニキビせんべい (pimple crackers) which are bumpy rice crackers.
- While English speakers might say a pimple is 'popping', a Japanese person might describe the action of squeezing it as 潰す (tsubusu), which literally means 'to crush' or 'to destroy'.
Examples in context
- ニキビができてしまいました。nikibi ga dekite shimaimashita.I have developed a pimple.
- ニキビを潰してはいけません。nikibi o tsubushite wa ikemasen.You must not pop a pimple.
- 顔に大きなニキビがあります。kao ni ookina nikibi ga arimasu.There is a large pimple on my face.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about skincare in a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、顔にニキビができているよ。Misaki, kao ni nikibi ga dekite iru yo.Misaki, you have a pimple on your face.
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、本当？恥ずかしい！E, hontou? Hazukashii!What, really? How embarrassing!
- 健太 Kentaあまり触らないほうがいいよ。Amari sawaranai hou ga ii yo.You shouldn't touch it too much.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね、気を付けるね。Sou dane, ki o tsukeru ne.You're right, I'll be careful.
