毛皮

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 毛皮, read けがわ. Elements for hair and skin combine to denote an animal’s fur-bearing hide or fur viewed as a material.
• Basic usage: 毛皮に覆われる describes an animal’s natural covering, while 本物の毛皮 treats fur as a material contrasted with a synthetic one.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An animal’s covering
  • This use refers to thick fur as part of an animal’s body in a cold climate. Example: 寒い土地に住む動物は厚い毛皮に覆われている。 — Animals living in cold regions are covered in thick fur.
• Fur as a material
  • In a materials context, real fur is contrasted with a synthetic substitute. Example: 展示では本物の毛皮ではなく人工素材を使っている。 — The exhibit uses synthetic material rather than real fur.