Definitions

(noun) skin; leather; hide
(adjective) naughty; mischievous

Etymology

Pictograph of a hand () peeling off the skin from an animal.

About

The character "皮" etymologically derives from the concept of animal hide, with its early representation suggesting skin removal. Structurally, it is an indivisible unit in modern Chinese, acting as a radical. Its primary meaning of skin or pelt extended to include surfaces, leather, and the process of peeling, while later developments led to abstract uses such as in "调皮" for mischievous behavior. This character maintains the same form in both traditional and simplified writing systems.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的肤很白。

Wǒ de pífū hěn bái.

My skin is very white.

这个苹果很薄。

Zhège píngguǒ pí hěn báo.

This apple's peel is very thin.

他调地笑了。

Tā tiáopí de xiào le.

He smiled naughtily.

革制品很耐用。

Pígé zhìpǐn hěn nàiyòng.

Leather products are very durable.

西瓜可以做成菜。

Xīguā pí kěyǐ zuò chéng cài.

Watermelon peel can be made into dishes.

她的包是红色的。

Tā de píbāo shì hóngsè de.

Her leather bag is red.

剥橘子时小心点。

Bō júzi pí shí xiǎoxīn diǎn.

Be careful when peeling the orange.

这种肤病需要治疗。

Zhè zhǒng pífūbìng xūyào zhìliáo.

This skin disease requires treatment.