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Words Kanji Guides About

ニキビ

に

き

び

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun

usually written using kana alone

General term for pimples and acne. Used in both casual and medical contexts.

顔かおにニキビができてしまった。
I got a pimple on my face.
ニキビの治ち療りょうには時じ間かんがかかる。
Treating acne takes time.

Written forms

ニキビUsage61%
kana-only spelling
Usually written in katakana; the most common practical spelling.
にきびUsage39%
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Hiragana spelling, also common.
面皰にきびUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji formgikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Rare kanji form; a jukujikun reading. Not normally used in everyday writing.

Kanji

面mask, face, features
皰pimple

Similar words

吹ふき出で物もの
A more general term for any skin eruption or rash, not limited to acne.
面めん疔ちょう
A severe, deep boil or carbuncle on the face; more serious than a common pimple.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 面皰 is a jukujikun reading, where the characters were assigned for their meaning ('face' and 'pimple') rather than their usual readings.