かわ
kawa
JLPT N25 strokesKanjiLevel 61 - JLPT N2

Quick answer

皮 is the kanji for "Skin". Its reading is かわ (kawa). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.

Meaning

Skin

Also : Pelt · Hide · Leather

Learn 皮 with SRS

Free to start — no credit card. Track every review with spaced repetition.

Start free

Readings

kunかわ/ kawaon/ hi

kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading

Practice writing

Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.

Stroke Order

5 strokes

Radicals

Memory Aid

Meaning ·

The kanji 皮 represents 'PELT'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of pelt.

Reading ·

On-reading: ひ — remember this sound by associating it with pelt. Kun-reading: かわ.

Example Sentences

果物の皮を剥いてから食べる習慣がある人も、そのまま食べる人もいます。

くだもののかわをむいてからたべるしゅうかんがあるひとも、そのままたべるひともいます。

Some people have the habit of peeling fruit before eating, while others eat it as is.

皮肉なことに、節約しようとして買ったものが壊れてしまいました。

ひにくなことに、せつやくしようとしてかったものがこわれてしまいました。

Ironically, the thing I bought trying to save money broke.

Vocabulary using 皮

Grammar to study at this level

Last updated Jul 22, 2026

Learn 皮 with Spaced Repetition

InitialJ uses scientifically proven SRS to help you memorize kanji and vocabulary for the JLPT. N5 is free forever; no credit card required.