披

• Pinyin: pī
• Hanzi breakdown: 披 = 扌(hand) + 皮 (skin), to drape/cover

Meaning

To drape; to wrap around shoulders; to wear loosely. Placing something over one's shoulders or back.

Used for garments worn loosely over shoulders (披外套 drape a coat), hair hanging down (披着长发 with long hair draped), and metaphorically (披荆斩棘 cut through thorns = overcome difficulties). Different from 穿 (wear properly).

Examples

1. 她披着一件红色的披肩走进来。 She walked in draped in a red shawl.
2. 新娘披着洁白的婚纱，美极了。 The bride was draped in a pure white wedding dress, looking absolutely beautiful.
3. 他披星戴月地赶路，终于按时到达了。 He traveled day and night and finally arrived on time.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, appearance, literary

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 冷了就披件外套。(Put on a coat if you're cold.)
• 她喜欢披着头发。(She likes to wear her hair down.)

Don't Say

• 我披了裤子。(Use 穿 for pants — 披 is for items draped over shoulders)

Origin & History

Pictophonetic: 扌(hand) + 皮 (skin). To drape or cover like skin.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal