'脱衣' (tuō yī) is a verb meaning 'to undress' — literally 'to take off clothing'. The character 脱 (tuō) means 'to remove' or 'to take off', while 衣 (yī) means 'clothing' or 'garment'; together, they form a compound verb indicating the physical act of removing one's clothes. It is commonly used in contexts involving personal hygiene, bedtime routines, medical examinations, or changing into different attire.

This word is neutral in register and appears frequently in everyday speech and writing, though it may sound slightly formal or clinical when used alone without context — often appearing in phrases like '脱衣洗澡' (undress to shower) or '脱衣检查' (undress for examination). It is not typically used for partial undressing (e.g., taking off a jacket only); for that, more specific verbs like '脱外套' are preferred. The action implies full or intentional removal of upper-body or general clothing, usually as a preparatory step for another activity.