上皮|うわかわuwakawa

1. no-adjectiveouter layer (e.g. of skin); cuticle; epidermis; bark; rind; crust; film (on the surface of a liquid); scum
2. no-adjective, anatomyepitheliumesp. じょうひ

• Synonym皮かわNeutralNeutral everyday word for animal skin, fruit peel, husks, bark — the broadest range. 「上皮」 is narrower: the thin outermost layer, or a film on a liquid's surface.
• Antonym真皮しんぴNeutralNeutral term for the inner layer of skin beneath the epidermis; it contrasts with 「上皮」 only as the inside versus outside of the skin's structure.

In everyday speech 「皮」 is the default. Use 「上皮（うわかわ）」 for a thin outer layer or the film on a liquid; 「上皮（じょうひ）」 is the anatomical term. 「真皮」 is the skin's inner layer, contrasting with 「上皮」 only as inside versus outside.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 動物どうぶつの体表たいひょうや管腔かんくう器官きかん、器官きかんの表面ひょうめんを覆おおう細胞さいぼうの層そう。上皮じょうひ組織そしき
2. 表皮ひょうひのこと。