Translation guide
A callus is a hardened, thickened area of skin that forms due to repeated friction or pressure. In Japanese, the most common word is たこ, but there are also specific terms for corns, writer's bumps, and related conditions. This guide helps you choose the right expression depending on the type and location.
A thickened, hardened area of skin from repeated rubbing or pressure, often on palms or soles.
The standard, everyday word for a callus. Can be used for calluses on hands, feet, or other body parts. Often written in kana, but the kanji is 胼胝.
ギターを弾きすぎて指にたこができた。
I got a callus on my finger from playing guitar too much.
足の裏のたこが痛い。
The callus on the sole of my foot hurts.
The kanji form of たこ. Rarely used in everyday writing; mostly seen in medical or formal contexts.
胼胝の治療法について調べる。
I'm researching treatments for calluses.
A small, painful, hardened area of skin on the toes, often with a central core.
Specifically a corn (clavus). Unlike a general callus (たこ), a corn is usually smaller, more painful, and often found on toes. The kanji is 魚の目, literally 'fish eye', but it's commonly written in kana.
新しい靴でうおのめができた。
I got a corn from my new shoes.
うおのめが痛くて歩けない。
My corn hurts so much I can't walk.
The kanji form of うおのめ, meaning 'chicken eye'. Used in medical contexts, but rare in daily life.
A callus or bump on the finger from holding a pen or pencil.
Literally 'pen callus'. The common term for a callus that forms on the middle finger from writing. Often written in kana, but can be ペン胼胝.
学生の頃、ペンだこがすごかった。
When I was a student, I had a huge writer's bump.
最近あまり字を書かないのでペンだこが小さくなった。
I don't write much lately, so my writer's bump has gotten smaller.
The kanji term for a writer's callus, literally 'brush callus'. Very formal and rare.
筆胼胝は書道家によく見られる。
Writer's calluses are often seen in calligraphers.
A thick, hard area on the bottom of the foot, often from walking barefoot or pressure.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'callus on the sole of the foot'. Natural and clear.
裸足で歩くので足の裏のたこが厚い。
I walk barefoot, so the calluses on my soles are thick.
Medical term for plantar callus. Used by doctors or in medical documents.
足底胼胝の治療にはインソールが有効です。
Insoles are effective for treating plantar calluses.
Thickened, rough skin that may not be a distinct callus but is hardened from work or dryness.
A general phrase meaning 'hardened skin'. Can be used when the exact term たこ feels too specific or medical.
手のひらが硬くなった皮膚で覆われている。
My palms are covered with hardened skin.
Means 'keratinized tissue' or 'dead skin cells'. Often used in beauty or skincare contexts for rough, thick skin, not necessarily a callus.
かかとの角質が気になる。
I'm concerned about the rough skin on my heels.
たこ is a broad term for any callus, usually not painful, caused by pressure or friction. うおのめ is a specific type of callus (corn) that is smaller, often on toes, and has a hard core that causes sharp pain when pressed. If you have a painful spot on your toe, it's likely うおのめ, not たこ.
The verb できる (to form, to appear) is commonly used with calluses, corns, and blisters. For example: たこができる (a callus forms), うおのめができる (a corn forms).
For corn treatment, go to a dermatologist.