Definitions
(noun)
skin; leather; hide
(adjective)
naughty; mischievous
Etymology
Pictograph of a hand (又) peeling off the skin from an animal.
About
The character "皮" finds its origin in an early ideographic representation of animal hide, with its structural composition historically alluding to the process of removing skin or peeling. Over centuries, its form consolidated into the contemporary character, which still subtly conveys this foundational idea through its arrangement of strokes. Initially confined to denoting the physical skin or fur of creatures, the term's application progressively expanded to encompass any thin outer layer, such as the surface of fruits, the covering of objects, or processed materials like leather. This semantic extension facilitated its incorporation into numerous compounds referring to coverings, textures, and even metaphorical attributes, including descriptions of a playful or tough demeanor. The graphic form of "皮" has remained largely unchanged, without a distinct traditional variant that underwent simplification, indicating a continuous and stable representation of its core meanings throughout the development of written Chinese.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的皮肤很白。
这个苹果皮很薄。
他调皮地笑了。
皮革制品很耐用。
西瓜皮可以做成菜。
她的皮包是红色的。
剥橘子皮时小心点。
这种皮肤病需要治疗。