skin

The Word “Skin”: Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages

The word “skin” is a versatile noun and verb in the English language, with various meanings and uses. It is commonly associated with the outer layer of a living being or object, but it can also be used metaphorically in many contexts. In this article, we will explore the different meanings and uses of the word “skin”, followed by translations in 30 different languages to highlight its global significance.

Meaning of “Skin” in Different Contexts

1. The Outer Layer of a Living Organism (Noun):

The most common use of the word “skin” refers to the outer layer that covers the body of humans and animals. It serves as a protective barrier for the internal organs.

• Example: “Her skin is soft and smooth.” In this context, “skin” refers to the natural covering of the body.

2. The Outer Layer of Fruits or Vegetables (Noun):

“Skin” is also used to describe the outer covering of fruits, vegetables, or other edible plants.

• Example: “Peel the skin off the apple before eating it.” Here, “skin” refers to the outer covering of the fruit.

3. In Medical Context (Noun):

In medical terminology, “skin” may refer to the organ system that protects the body and regulates temperature. It also plays a key role in sensation.

• Example: “The doctor examined the patient’s skin for any signs of infection.” This use highlights the importance of skin in the body’s immune response and overall health.

4. To Remove the Skin (Verb):

The verb “skin” refers to the act of removing the outer layer from something, such as an animal or a fruit.

• Example: “He skinned the fish before cooking it.” In this case, “skinned” means to remove the outer layer of the fish.

5. Metaphorical Use: Personal Identity or Outer Appearance (Noun):

“Skin” can be used metaphorically to represent a person’s identity or appearance.

• Example: “He felt uncomfortable in his own skin.” Here, “skin” symbolizes the person’s sense of self or their external persona.

6. To Hurt or Scrape the Skin (Verb):

“Skin” can also be used to describe the action of scraping or injuring the outer layer of the skin.

• Example: “She skinned her knee while playing soccer.” This usage refers to a minor injury where the outer layer of skin is scraped or damaged.

7. To Survive or Escape (Verb):

In slang, “skin” can refer to escaping or surviving a difficult situation.

• Example: “He skinned through the exam with just enough to pass.” Here, “skinned” is used metaphorically to mean narrowly escaping a situation.

Translations of the Word “Skin” in 30 Languages

Below is a table showing the translation of “skin” in 30 different languages, along with example sentences in each language to illustrate its meaning in context.

Language	Translation	Example Sentence (in the target language)	English Translation of Example
English	Skin	“Her skin is soft and smooth.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Spanish	Piel	“Su piel es suave y lisa.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
French	Peau	“Sa peau est douce et lisse.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
German	Haut	“Ihre Haut ist weich und glatt.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Italian	Pelle	“La sua pelle è morbida e liscia.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Portuguese	Pele	“A pele dela é macia e lisa.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Russian	Кожа (Kozha)	“Её кожа мягкая и гладкая.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Chinese (Simplified)	皮肤 (Pífū)	“她的皮肤柔软光滑。”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Japanese	皮膚 (Hifu)	“彼女の肌は柔らかく滑らかです。”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Korean	피부 (Pibu)	“그녀의 피부는 부드럽고 매끄럽습니다.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Hindi	त्वचा (Tvächā)	“उसकी त्वचा मुलायम और चिकनी है।”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Bengali	ত্বক (Tôk)	“তার ত্বক নরম এবং মসৃণ।”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Urdu	جلد (Jild)	“اس کی جلد نرم اور ہموار ہے۔”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Turkish	Cilt	“Onun cildi yumuşak ve pürüzsüz.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Dutch	Huid	“Haar huid is zacht en glad.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Greek	Δέρμα (Dérma)	“Το δέρμα της είναι απαλό και λείο.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Swedish	Hud	“Hennes hud är mjuk och slät.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Danish	Hud	“Hendes hud er blød og glat.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Finnish	Iho	“Hänen ihonsa on pehmeä ja sileä.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Norwegian	Hud	“Huden hennes er myk og jevn.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Polish	Skóra	“Jej skóra jest miękka i gładka.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Czech	Pokožka	“Její pokožka je měkká a hladká.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Hungarian	Bőr	“A bőre puha és sima.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Hebrew	עור (Or)	“העור שלה רך וחלק.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Thai	ผิว (Phiw)	“ผิวของเธอนุ่มและเรียบเนียน”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Vietnamese	Da	“Làn da của cô ấy mịn màng và mềm mại.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Indonesian	Kulit	“Kulitnya halus dan lembut.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Filipino	Balat	“Ang balat niya ay malambot at makinis.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Malay	Kulit	“Kulitnya lembut dan licin.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Swahili	Ngozi	“Ngozi yake ni laini na laini.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)
Arabic	بشرة (Bashara)	“بشرتها ناعمة وملساء.”	(Her skin is soft and smooth.)

Final Thoughts

The word “skin” is essential for describing the protective and defining outer layer of living beings, both in the literal sense (as the physical layer of the body) and in a metaphorical sense (as a reflection of personal identity or emotions). It plays a critical role in biology, health, and social interactions. “Skin” can also be used in various other contexts, such as referring to the outer layer of fruits or vegetables, or in slang to represent personal identity or physical appearance.

The translations of “skin” across 30 languages demonstrate the global relevance of this term and its shared understanding in diverse cultures. Whether discussing human anatomy, fruit skins, or metaphorical meanings, the word “skin” remains universally recognized.