피부
pibu[pʰibu]
In Korean, the word for skin is 피부 (pibu). Wiktionary also lists 살갗 (salgat).
Meaning: outer protective layer of the body of a person or animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 피부 | pibu | [pʰibu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 살갗 | salgat | [sʰa̠ɭk͈a̠t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
피부 is the standard and most common term for the outer protective layer of a person or animal. It is used in a wide variety of everyday contexts, including medical and cosmetic discussions. For example, you can use 피부 관리 to mean skin care and 피부색 when discussing skin color. In more scientific or medical discussions, the term 피부조직 is used to specifically mean skin tissue.
Which one should you use?
피부 is the standard and scientific term used in most situations. In contrast, 살갗 is more literary or poetic, referring more specifically to the surface of the flesh or the tactile sensation of the skin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
피부 is the term used in Standard Korean in both South and North Korea.
How do you pronounce it?
pibu
Did you know?
- In Korean beauty culture, the term 꿀피부 literally translates to 'honey skin'. It describes skin that is so hydrated and glowing that it looks like it is coated in honey.
- Because 피부 is a Sino-Korean word, its roots are shared with Japanese and Chinese. The character 皮 is used in all three languages to denote skin or hide.
- The word 살갗 is formed from the words for 'flesh' and 'leather'. This suggests an ancient perception of the skin as a leather-like covering for the muscle.
Examples in context
- 매일 세수를 안하면 얼굴 피부에 먼지가 달라붙어 여드름이 생길 수도 있다.If you don't wash your face every day, dusts will stick to the skin of your face and cause pimples.This sentence illustrates how dust sticking to the face 피부 can cause pimples.
- 나에게는 나의 4자녀가 언젠가는 그들의 피부색이 아닌 그들의 인격으로 평가받는 나라에서 살게 될 것이라는 꿈이 있다.I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.This sentence uses 피부 to discuss the concept of being judged by skin color rather than character.Tatoeba #6484107 by LeeSooHa, translation #6484105 by LeeSooHa
- 피부가 건조해요.My skin is dry.
- 너는 아름다운 피부 를 가지고 있어.You have beautiful skin.
- 겨울에는 피부가 아주 건조해져요.gyeoul-eneun pibuga aju geonjohaejyeoyo.In winter, my skin gets very dry.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are talking about skincare products.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 피부가 정말 좋으시네요.Dohyun ssi, pibu-ga jeongmal joh-eusineyo.Dohyun, your skin is really great.
- 도현 Do-hyeon감사합니다. 관리를 열심히 하고 있어요.gamsahamnida. gwanrireul yeolsimhi hago isseoyo.Thank you. I take a lot of care of it.
- 수빈 Su-bin어떤 제품을 사용하세요?eotteon jepumeul sayonghaseyo?What products do you use?
- 도현 Do-hyeon순한 수분 크림을 쓰고 있어요.sunhan subun keurimeul sseugo isseoyo.I use a mild moisturizing cream.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skin” translations and entries 피부, 살갗, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 살갗, 피부, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
