ネイル

ねいる
noun
nail art; manicure; nails (beauty)
colloquialappearance
1. nail art; manicure; nail care
Decorative treatment of fingernails and toenails, including painting, gel application, and nail art designs. The dominant meaning in modern Japanese, used far more commonly than in the original English 'nail' sense.
ネイルを変(か)えたいな。
I want to change my nails.
新(あたら)しいネイルサロンが駅前(えきまえ)にオープンした。
A new nail salon opened in front of the station.
季節(きせつ)に合(あ)わせてネイルのデザインを変(か)えるのが楽(たの)しみだ。
I enjoy changing my nail designs to match the season.

From English "nail," but in Japanese used almost exclusively in the beauty/fashion context for nail art and manicures. The hardware meaning (metal nail) is expressed as 釘(くぎ), not ネイル.

A major part of Japanese beauty culture. ネイルサロン (nail salons) are ubiquitous in Japanese cities, and elaborate nail art is a recognized art form. ジェルネイル (gel nails) are particularly popular in Japan.

Common collocations

  • ネイルサロン: nail salon
  • ジェルネイル: gel nails
  • ネイルアート: nail art
  • ネイルを塗(ぬ)る: to paint nails
  • ネイルケア: nail care
  • セルフネイル: doing one's own nails at home

Similar words

  • マニキュア: manicure; nail polish — can refer to both the act and the polish itself
  • ペディキュア: pedicure — nail treatment specifically for toenails
  • 爪(つめ): nail; fingernail — the body part itself, not the beauty treatment

Related Words

Compare: マニキュア (manicure)
Compare: ペディキュア (pedicure)
Compare: 爪(つめ) (nail)
general
Added 2026.4.28 20:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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