披风 (pī fēng) — cloak; cape

Definition

A sleeveless outer garment worn over the shoulders — 'cloak' for warmth or ceremony, 'cape' for a shorter, lighter version. Common in historical or theatrical contexts.

noun
cloakcape
Measure word · 件

Examples

  • 披风。
    Tā pī shàng yí jiàn pī fēng jiù chū mén le.
    He put on a cloak and went out.
  • 披风。
    Zhè jiàn pī fēng shì yòng yáng máo zuò de.
    This cape is made of wool.
  • 披风。
    Gǔ dài de jiāng jūn jīng cháng chuān pī fēng.
    Ancient generals often wore cloaks.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

披pīdrape
风fēngwind

披 means to drape and 风 means wind, naming a garment draped to keep off wind.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
皮
皮pí披pī
Same sound today

披 pairs 扌 (hand) with 皮, which gives the sound.

Open 披 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 风 →
Appears in
Clothing

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.