Meaning
The kanji 皮 (kawa or hi) primarily signifies an "outer covering." Its main meanings include "skin," "hide," "peel," and "bark." It refers to the protective layer found on living beings (animals and humans), fruits, or trees. For example, it's the skin of an animal, the peel of an orange, or the bark of a tree.
Historically, 皮 is thought to be a pictograph. It depicts an animal skin that has been stripped or flayed and then stretched out. The top part of the character visually suggests this stretched form of a hide. The bottom part resembles the radical 又 (which can mean 'right hand' or 'again'), possibly representing the act of handling, working, or stretching the skin. This visual connection directly links the kanji's shape to its core meaning of a 'skin' or 'hide' that has been removed or processed. Over time, its usage expanded to encompass any outer layer or covering, whether animal, vegetable, or even metaphorical.
This kanji is essential for describing various natural textures and layers in Japanese. It has 5 strokes and is taught in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary school.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 皮 is ヒ (hi). You'll typically find this reading in compound words, especially in more formal, technical, or abstract contexts. While retaining the core meaning of an outer layer or skin, it frequently appears in terms with a scientific, medical, or metaphorical nuance.
- 皮革 (hikaku) — This compound refers to "leather" in general, specifically processed animal skin. It combines 皮 (skin/hide) with 革 (processed leather), emphasizing the material itself.
- 皮膚 (hifu) — This is the standard medical or biological term for "skin" on the human body. It pairs 皮 (skin) with 膚 (skin/body), creating a precise term often used in medical and biological contexts.
- 表皮 (hyōhi) — Meaning "epidermis" or "outer skin." With 表 (hyō) meaning "surface" or "outer," 表皮 describes the outermost layer of the skin.
- 皮肉 (hiniku) — This compound means "irony" or "sarcasm." This is a more abstract use, combining 皮 (skin) and 肉 (meat). Its etymology might suggest words that are only "skin deep" or phrases that 'cut close to the bone.'
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
For its Kun'yomi, the most common reading for 皮 is かわ (kawa). This versatile reading covers a wide range of "skins," "hides," "peels," and "barks" in daily Japanese. It's the standard reading when the kanji appears alone or in combination with other native Japanese words.
- 皮 (kawa) — Used by itself, this most commonly means "skin," "hide," "peel" (of fruit), or "bark" (of a tree). For example, リンゴの皮 (ringo no kawa) refers to an apple peel.
- 毛皮 (kegawa) — This translates to "fur" or "pelt." It combines 毛 (ke), meaning "hair" or "fur," with 皮 (kawa), referring to an animal's furry hide.
- 本革 (honkawa) — Meaning "genuine leather." Here, 本 (hon) signifies "true" or "genuine," making it clear the material is genuine animal hide.
- 木の皮 (ki no kawa) — This specifically refers to "tree bark." The particle の (no) links 木 (ki, tree) with 皮 (kawa, bark), forming a specific phrase.
Common Words & Compounds
Exploring common words and compounds helps reveal how versatile 皮 is:
- 皮 (kawa) — Skin, hide, peel, bark. (e.g., 果物の皮 — fruit peel)
- 皮革 (hikaku) — Leather (general term for animal skin processed for use).
- 毛皮 (kegawa) — Fur, pelt (animal skin with fur).
- 本革 (honkawa) — Genuine leather.
- 合皮 (gōhi) — Synthetic leather, artificial leather.
- 皮膚 (hifu) — Skin (medical/biological term for human skin).
- 表皮 (hyōhi) — Epidermis, outer skin layer.
- 樹皮 (juhi) — Tree bark (the outer layer of a tree trunk or branch).
- 果皮 (kahi) — Pericarp (the wall of a fruit, or fruit peel in a botanical context).
- 皮肉 (hiniku) — Irony, sarcasm (a cutting or superficial remark).
- 皮肉屋 (hinikuya) — A cynical person, a sarcastic person.
- 皮算用 (kawazanyō) — Counting one's chickens before they hatch; premature calculation (lit. "skin calculation," implying a superficial or unreliable estimation).
- 皮一枚 (kawa ichimai) — By a hair's breadth, by a very thin margin (literally "one sheet of skin"). This idiom highlights a narrow escape or a minimal difference.
- 餃子の皮 (gyōza no kawa) — Gyoza wrapper/skin.
- なめし皮 (nameshigawa) — Tanned leather. This refers to leather that has undergone the tanning process, converting animal hide into a durable material.
Example Sentences
リンゴの皮をむいてください。
Ringo no kawa wo muite kudasai.
Please peel the apple.
このカバンは本革でできています。
Kono kaban wa honkawa de dekiteimasu.
This bag is made of genuine leather.
彼の皮膚はとても敏感だ。
Kare no hifu wa totemo binkan da.
His skin is very sensitive.
木の皮には、さまざまな模様があります。
Ki no kawa ni wa, samazama na moyō ga arimasu.
Tree bark has various patterns.
友人の皮肉なコメントに、みんなが笑いました。
Yūjin no hiniku na komento ni, minna ga waraimashita.
Everyone laughed at my friend's sarcastic comment.
このオレンジは皮が厚いので、むくのが少し大変です。
Kono orenji wa kawa ga atsui node, muku no ga sukoshi taihen desu.
This orange has a thick peel, so it's a bit difficult to peel.
冬になると、私の唇の皮がむけることがあります。
Fuyu ni naru to, watashi no kuchibiru no kawa ga mukeru koto ga arimasu.
In winter, the skin on my lips sometimes peels.
昔の服は動物の毛皮から作られていました。
Mukashi no fuku wa dōbutsu no kegawa kara tsukurarete imashita.
Old clothes were made from animal furs.
その事件は、まだ皮肉なことに解決していません。
Sono jiken wa, mada hiniku na koto ni kaiketsu shite imasen.
Ironically, that incident has not yet been resolved.
古い木の幹には、深いしわの入った厚い樹皮があります。
Furui ki no miki ni wa, fukai shiwa no haitta atsui juhi ga arimasu.
The trunk of the old tree has thick bark with deep wrinkles.
Memory Tip
To help remember 皮, visualize it as an animal skin, perhaps hanging to dry or stretched out. The kanji's top part resembles a wide, flat hide. The bottom part, which looks like the radical 又 (again/hand), can be imagined as a hand holding or processing the skin. So, think of a "hand (又) working on a stretched skin." Alternatively, picture a small animal hide with a distinct tail hanging down from it. The central vertical stroke forms the main body of the hide, with the surrounding strokes depicting its outer edges.