How to Write 披 (pī) — Meaning “to drape over one's shoulders; to split open”

Imagine using your hand (扌) to throw a leather jacket (皮) over your shoulders. For the word 披萨 (pizza), picture yourself draping a giant pizza across your shoulders like a shawl.

The left side 扌 should be narrow, and the right side 皮 should be wider with a balanced shape. Pay attention to the order: write 扌 first, then 皮 with the top horizontal stroke followed by the vertical sweep, and avoid making the right side too tall.

披 (pī) means to drape or split open, while 托 (tuō) means to support in the hand. Visually, 托 has the right component 乇 (a sprout) instead of 皮, and 㧜 is a rare character with a different right side, not used in common words.

披 is common in words like 披上 (to put on a coat over the shoulders), 披肩 (shawl), and 披萨 (pizza). Culturally, the 披肩 is a traditional accessory worn over the shoulders in Chinese fashion for warmth or elegance.

Common words containing 披 include: 披萨 (pī sà) — pizza; 披上 (pī shàng) — to put on (a coat or shawl) over the shoulders; 披肩 (pī jiān) — shawl.