皮|かわkawa[2]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounskin; hide; pelt; fur
   動物どうぶつの皮かわは毛けでおおわれている。↗

   The skin of animals is covered with hair.
2. nounrind; peel; husk; bark
   私は林檎りんごの皮かわをむくことができる。↗

   I can peel an apple.
3. nounshell; sheath; wrapping
   ぎょうざの具ぐのあまりは？餃子ぎょーざを家いえで作つくりましたが、皮かわが少すくなかったせいか、具ぐが少すこし余あまってしまいました。↗

   Gyoza stuffing? I made some gyoza at home but, possibly because I didn't have enough dough, I had some of the filling left over.
4. nounmask (hiding one's true nature); seeming

• Synonym皮膚ひふNeutralThe skin of humans or animals, as in 「皮膚科」; leans medical. 「皮」 is broader, also covering fruit peel, bark and fur.
• Synonym表皮ひょうひWrittenThe epidermis, the outermost layer, as in 「表皮細胞」; leans biological.
• Synonym上皮うわかわWrittenA thin outermost skin, or a film on a liquid; in medicine read 「じょうひ」 for epithelial tissue.
• Synonym樹皮じゅひWrittenWritten/formal prose for tree bark, as in 「樹皮を剥ぐ」.
• Synonym外皮がいひWrittenWritten/formal prose for an outer skin or shell; everyday speech uses 「皮」.
• Synonym獣皮じゅうひWrittenWritten/formal prose for the hide or pelt of a beast, as in 「獣皮の敷物」.
• Synonym果皮かひWrittenA botanical term for fruit peel or rind; everyday speech uses 「皮」.
• Synonym皮膜ひまくWrittenA thin film or membrane, as in 「皮膜を形成する」; mostly technical usage.
• Related肌はだNeutralHuman skin, stressing feel and skin quality, as in 「肌が荒れる」; 「皮」 leans toward the covering layer itself.
• Related木皮もくひWrittenRare written/formal prose for tree bark, especially as an ingredient in Chinese medicine; everyday speech says 「木の皮」.
• Related肌膚きふWrittenRare written/formal prose for skin; everyday speech uses 「肌」 or 「皮膚」.
• Antonym中身なかみNeutralHere it stands for 「中身（なかみ）」, the contents inside, opposite to 「皮」 as the outer layer; properly 「当て身」 means a strike to a vital point.
• Antonym芯しんNeutralThe core or center, as in 「りんごの芯」; contrasts with 「皮」 as outer layer versus core.
• Antonym果肉かにくNeutralThe flesh or pulp of a fruit; contrasts with 「皮」 as peel versus flesh.

「皮」 covers the outer skin of animals and plants, human skin, and hides or fur, as in 「手の皮がむける」. In medical contexts use 「皮膚」; for skin quality and texture use 「肌」; for tree bark use 「樹皮」. The opposites are 「中身」, 「芯」 and 「果肉」.

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

1. （かわ）動植物どうしょくぶつの表面ひょうめんをおおい、内部ないぶを保護ほごするもの。表皮ひょうひ。皮膚ひふ（動物どうぶつの場合ばあい）。
2. （かわ）中身なかみをおおい、包つつみとしてはたらく構造こうぞう。またそのもの。
3. （かわ）人物じんぶつや物事ものごとの本性ほんしょうを包み隠つつみかくすような表面的ひょうめんてき性質せいしつ。