美は皮一重。

美は皮一重。

Beauty is only skin deep.

美(び)は皮(かわ)一(いち)重(じゅう)。

Bi wa kawa ichi jū.

美 (び)

beauty

は (は)

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

皮 (かわ)

skin; hide; pelt; fur; rind; peel; husk; bark; shell; sheath; wrapping; mask (hiding one's true nature); seeming

一 (いち)

one; best; first; foremost; beginning; start; bottom string (on a shamisen, etc.)

重 (え)

-fold; -ply

Readings: ビ、ミ、うつく.しい

Meanings: beauty, beautiful

Readings: ヒ、かわ

Meanings: pelt, skin, hide, leather, skin radical (no. 107)

Readings: イチ、イツ、ひと-、ひと.つ

Meanings: one, one radical (no.1)

Readings: ジュウ、チョウ、え、おも.い、おも.り、おも.なう、かさ.ねる、かさ.なる、おも

Meanings: heavy, heap up, pile up, nest of boxes, -fold