あばた

あばた
noun
pockmarks; pitted scars
1. pockmarks; pitted scars (especially from smallpox or acne)
Small, pit-like scars on the skin, historically caused by smallpox, but now more commonly referring to acne scars or similar skin conditions.
ニキビの跡(あと)であばたが残(のこ)った。
Pockmarks remained from acne scars.
あばたも笑窪(えくぼ)という言葉(ことば)がある。
There's a saying 'pockmarks are dimples' (love is blind).
昔(むかし)は天然痘(てんねんとう)であばたになる人(ひと)が多(おお)かった。
In the past, many people got pockmarks from smallpox.

あばた can also be written as 痘痕(あばた) in kanji.

FAMOUS PROVERB:
「あばたも笑窪(えくぼ)」(Pockmarks look like dimples to someone in love)
Meaning: Love makes faults look like virtues; love is blind.

MODERN USAGE:

While historically associated with smallpox (天然痘(てんねんとう)), which is now eradicated, the term is now mainly used to describe:

  • Acne scars (ニキビ跡(あと))
  • Pitted skin texture

RELATED TERMS:

  • クレーター肌(はだ): crater-like skin (from acne scars)
  • 凹凸(おうとつ): unevenness, irregularity
general
Added 2026.1.29 20:08
08500/08978_abata