Japanese word

革

Pronunciation

Romajikawa

Meaning

  • nounleather

Example

店で革の財布を買いました。mise de kawa no sai fu o ka i ma shi ta

I bought a leather wallet at the store.

Illustration for 革 (leather)

More examples

この財布は革でできています。ko no sai fu wa kawa de de ki te i ma su

This wallet is made of leather.

Core concept

It denotes animal skin that has been processed into a durable material for clothing, bags, and other goods.

Common phrases

  • 革の財布kawa no sai fu

    leather wallet

  • 革の靴kawa no kutsu

    leather shoes

  • 革をなめすkawa o na me su

    tan leather

Similar words

皮kawa: Animal skin that can refer to a raw covering or a processed material, as well as a fruit peel.
レザーrezā: A commonly used loanword for leather in product names, fashion, and design.
皮革hikaku: A formal term for processed animal skin used as a material.

Definition in Japanese

動物の皮をなめして、衣類や袋などの材料にしたもの。dō butsu no kawa o na me shi te i rui ya fukuro na do no zai ryō ni shi ta mo no

Word origin

The Japanese noun 革 (kawa, "leather") is native, while the kanji comes from Chinese and is used to write it.

Usage tips

  • Japanese often uses 革 (kawa, "leather") for a processed material, while 皮 (kawa, "skin") can refer to an animal's skin or a fruit peel.

Related words

  • 革製kawaseileatherpre-noun adjectival

Word lists with this word