皮鞋

• Pinyin: pí xié
• Hanzi breakdown: 皮 = animal hide/leather; 鞋 = 革 (leather) + 圭, footwear

Meaning

Leather shoes. Formal footwear made of leather.

Associated with formal or business attire. Requires maintenance (擦皮鞋 polish leather shoes). Types include 正装皮鞋 (dress shoes), 休闲皮鞋 (casual leather shoes). Often contrasted with 运动鞋 (sneakers) for different occasions.

Examples

1. 面试的时候最好穿一双正式的皮鞋。 It's best to wear a pair of formal leather shoes for an interview.
2. 这双皮鞋是真皮的，质量很好。 These leather shoes are genuine leather; the quality is very good.
3. 他每周都会把皮鞋擦得锃亮。 He polishes his leather shoes until they shine every week.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, formal wear, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这双皮鞋配西装很好看。(These leather shoes look great with a suit.)
• 新皮鞋有点磨脚。(New leather shoes are a bit uncomfortable.)

Don't Say

• 我穿皮鞋去跑步。(皮鞋 are not for sports — wear 运动鞋 for running)

Origin & History

皮 (pí, leather) + 鞋 (xié, shoes). Shoes made of leather.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal