Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| جلد | gild | /d͡ʒild/ | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| جِلْد | jild | masculine | |
| بَشَرة | bašara | feminine | |
| بشرة | bašra | /ba.ʃa.ra/ | Egyptian Arabic, feminine |
| بَشَرَة | bašara | Hijazi Arabic, feminine | |
| بشره | bašara | North Levantine Arabic, feminine |
The term for skin depends on whether you are referring to the biological layer, an animal's hide or a human's complexion. جِلْد is a general term that covers the anatomical or structural layer of skin, including animal hides and leather. When discussing beauty, skincare or dermatology, بَشَرة is the preferred term for the human complexion or the surface of the skin.
Which one should you use?
جِلْد is a general term used for the skin of animals, leather or the structural layer of skin. In contrast, بَشَرة is used specifically when referring to human complexion or the surface of the skin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the forms جلد (gild) and بشرة (bašra) are used. In Hijazi Arabic, the feminine form بَشَرَة (bašara) is used and in North Levantine Arabic, the form بشره (bašara) is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
جِلْد is a masculine noun and must agree with masculine adjectives in gender. بَشَرة is a feminine noun and must agree with feminine adjectives in gender.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation for جلد is /dʒild/.
Did you know?
- The root of بَشَرة also forms the word بِشارة, which means 'good news'. This is because good news was traditionally thought to bring a glow or a change to the skin of the face.
- In many Arabic dialects, the word جلد can also be used as a verb meaning 'to whip' or 'to lash' someone.
- The root of the word بَشَرة is the same as the word for 'human beings' بَشَر. This suggests a linguistic link between the concept of human skin and the essence of humanity itself.
Examples in context
- كان جلد ذلك المخلوق أسودا.The creature had black skin.This sentence uses جلد to describe the skin of a creature.Tatoeba #11665534 by dididodo, translation #11244790 by Amastan
- بشرة الإنسان حساسةٌ جدا للتغير في الحرارة.Man's skin is very sensitive to temperature changes.This sentence uses بشرة to discuss the sensitivity of human skin.Tatoeba #803902 by Samer, translation #269982 by sacredceltic
- لدي جلد دهني.I have greasy skin.This sentence uses جلد to describe a skin type.Tatoeba #5155922 by damascene, translation #282663 by CM
- يحمي نقاء البشرة من الأشعة فوق البنفسجية.Protects the purity of the skin from ultraviolet radiation.
- احرص على تنظيف الجلد جيداً يومياً.Make sure to clean the skin well daily.
- استخدمت هذا المرطب لترطيب البشرة الجافة.I used this moisturizer to hydrate dry skin.
Example conversation
Youssef and Sara are discussing a skincare product at home.
- يوسف Youssefالجلد ده ناشف أوي.el gild dah nashif awy.This skin is very dry.
- سارة Saraاستخدم الكريم ده على جلدك.estakhdem el krim dah 'ala gildak.Use this cream on your skin.
- يوسف Youssefهو الكريم ده كويس؟howa el krim dah kways?Is this cream good?
- سارة Saraآه، هو ممتاز للجلد.ah, howa momtaz lel gild.Yes, it is excellent for the skin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skin” translations and entries جلد, بشرة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
