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皮
skin · hide · leather · peel · bark
N2On: ひKun: かわ
Memory Aid
This kanji looks like a hand peeling off the skin or covering of something. The top part resembles a hand or a knife, while the bottom part is the object being peeled.
'KAWA' — sounds like 'COVER', which is what skin, hide, or a peel does for something.
Vocabulary
果物の皮くだもののかわfruit peel
毛皮けがわfur, pelt
皮膚ひふskin (human)
皮肉ひにくirony, sarcasm
革かわleather (often written as 革, but 皮 can refer to raw hide or general leather)
Example Sentences
りんごの皮をむいて食べました。
I peeled the apple and ate it.
彼は皮膚の病気で医者に行きました。
He went to the doctor for a skin disease.
このかばんは本物の皮でできています。
This bag is made of real leather.
彼の言うことはいつも皮肉が多い。
His words are always full of sarcasm.