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Thai

ผิว

Pronunciation

phǐw

ผิว

phǐw

skin

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  1. 1 skin、complexion
  2. 2 surface、outer layer

This noun refers to the visible or touchable outer layer of something. It commonly means a person’s skin or complexion, and it can also mean the surface of an object or material.

1

skin、complexion

Noun⭐️4 Often used

The skin covering a person or animal, especially when talking about its color, texture, appearance, or condition.

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2

surface、outer layer

Noun⭐️3 Common

The outermost, visible or touchable surface of an object, material, or area.

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Learning notes

Explanation

The central idea of ผิว is the outer part that can be seen or touched. For the body, it is especially common in everyday and beauty-related language. It combines naturally with descriptions of condition or texture, as in ผิวแห้ง “dry skin,” ผิวมัน “oily skin,” and ผิวเนียน “smooth skin.” For objects and materials, it refers to the exposed surface, as in ผิวโต๊ะ “the surface of a table” and ผิวโลหะ “a metal surface.” พื้นผิว is often preferred when the surface or its texture needs to be stated more explicitly. ผิว also appears in the fixed expression ผิวปาก, meaning “to whistle.” In this use, it is normally not used by itself, so learners should remember ผิวปาก as a complete expression.

Usage

It is very common in conversations about skincare, cosmetics, complexion, skin type, and skin conditions. It is also used when describing the texture, damage, cleanliness, or material of surfaces such as tables, roads, and metal.

Caution

ผิว does not cover every meaning of “skin” or “outer covering.” Use เปลือก for fruit peel, eggshell, bark, and similar removable coverings, and หนัง for leather or an animal hide. To say “whistle,” use the full expression ผิวปาก rather than ผิว alone.

Differences from similar words

1 skin synonyms

  • หนัง can refer to an animal hide, leather, or the skin as bodily tissue and often suggests a thicker covering. ผิว focuses more on visible skin and its appearance or condition.

2 surface synonyms

  • เปลือก refers to a peel, shell, bark, or another outer covering that encloses something and can often be removed. ผิว focuses on the exposed surface rather than a removable covering.

Component words

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