Body and healthskin (of a person); surface noun
- pǐu rising
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
How to use it
ผิวpǐu is the skin of a person, with a rising tone. Sunburn is ผิวไหม้แดดpǐu mâi dàet, "skin burnt by the sun", and suncream is ครีมกันแดดkriim gan-dàet, "cream against the sun". Fair skin is widely admired in Thailand, which is why so many Thais cover up in the sun and so many lotions promise a lighter tone.
Doctors use the full word, ผิวหนังpǐu-nǎng: a dermatologist is หมอผิวหนังmǎw pǐu-nǎng. On its own, หนังnǎng is animal skin and leather, and also a film.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- phiu
- piw
- phiw
More body and health in Thai
All body and health
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones