美はただ皮一枚。

美はただ皮一枚。

Beauty is but skin deep.

美(び)はただ皮(かわ)一(いち)枚(まい)。

Bi wa tada kawa ichi mai.

美 (び)

beauty

は (は)

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

只 (ただ、タダ)

ordinary; common; usual; free of charge; unaffected; as is; safe; only; merely; just; simply; but; however; nevertheless

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.)

枚 (まい)

counter for flat objects (e.g. sheets of paper)

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: マイ、バイ

Meanings: sheet of..., counter for flat thin objects or sheets