肌肤

• Pinyin: jī fū
• Hanzi breakdown: 肌 = 月 + 几 (flesh radical + small table, muscle); 肤 = 月 + 夫 (flesh + man, skin surface)

Meaning

Skin; complexion. The surface of the body, especially as an indicator of health or beauty.

More poetic and formal than 皮肤, used in beauty, medical, and literary contexts. Common in skincare marketing, traditional Chinese medicine, and literary descriptions of human touch or appearance.

Examples

1. 长期睡眠不足会导致肌肤暗沉，加速皮肤老化的进程。 Long-term lack of sleep can leave your skin dull and speed up aging.
2. 中医认为内调外养相结合才能从根本上改善肌肤的整体状态。 Traditional Chinese medicine believes that only by combining internal regulation with external care can you fundamentally improve your skin’s overall condition.
3. 他轻轻触摸孩子细嫩的肌肤，感受到了初为人父的深切喜悦。 He gently touched his child’s soft, delicate skin and felt the deep joy of becoming a father for the first time.

Usage Guide

Context: health, beauty, literature

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这款护肤品专为敏感肌肤设计，成分温和，不含刺激性添加剂。(This skincare product is designed specifically for sensitive skin with gentle, non-irritating ingredients.)
• 中医强调阴阳平衡有助于滋养肌肤，从内而外焕发自然光彩。(Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that yin-yang balance helps nourish the skin and radiate natural vitality from the inside out.)

Don't Say

• 他的肌肤非常粗糙 — while not wrong, 皮肤 is more neutral and clinical; 肌肤 sounds overly poetic for plain everyday description of rough skin

Origin & History

肌 (muscle/flesh) + 肤 (skin surface)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal