huàzhuāng: 化妆 - To put on makeup, Cosmetics

• Keywords: 化妆, huazhuang, put on makeup in Chinese, cosmetics in Chinese, Chinese makeup, remove makeup in Chinese, C-beauty, douyin makeup, 化妆品, 美妆, Chinese beauty standards.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 化妆 (huàzhuāng), which means “to put on makeup.” This comprehensive guide covers everything a beginner needs to know, from its core meaning and character breakdown to its cultural significance in modern China. Discover how to use 化妆 in daily conversation, discuss C-beauty trends like “Douyin makeup,” and learn crucial related vocabulary for cosmetics (化妆品) and removing makeup (卸妆). With 10 practical example sentences and clear analysis, you'll master this fundamental term for discussing daily routines and modern Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): huàzhuāng
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (often functions as a single verb; can also act as a noun)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To apply cosmetics; to put on makeup.
• In a Nutshell: 化妆 (huàzhuāng) is the primary term for the action of applying makeup. It's a compound word that literally means “to transform” (化) one's “adornment” or “appearance” (妆). It covers the entire process, from applying a simple lipstick to creating a full, elaborate look. It's the direct and most common equivalent of the English phrase “to put on makeup.”

• 化 (huà): This character means to change, transform, or convert. You can see it in words like 文化 (wénhuà) - culture, or 化学 (huàxué) - chemistry. In this context, it signifies the transformation of one's appearance.
• 妆 (zhuāng): This character refers to adornment, makeup, or a woman's appearance. The radical on the left, 女 (nǚ), means “woman,” which historically ties the concept of makeup to femininity. The right side provides the phonetic component.
• Together, 化妆 (huàzhuāng) creates a vivid and literal meaning: “to transform one's adornment,” which perfectly encapsulates the modern idea of applying makeup.

In China, as in many parts of the world, makeup is a form of self-expression, but it also carries unique cultural weight. The rise of “C-beauty” (Chinese Beauty) and social media trends, particularly on platforms like Douyin (TikTok), has created a vibrant and innovative makeup culture. Intricate eye makeup and flawless “glass skin” are popular trends that have gained global attention. A key cultural point of comparison is the concept of “professional makeup” (职业妆, zhíyè zhuāng). In many Chinese (and East Asian) corporate environments, wearing subtle, neat makeup is often seen as a sign of professionalism and respect for one's colleagues and clients. This can be compared to the Western concept of a “business suit.” While in the West, makeup is often viewed as a personal choice, in some Chinese professional contexts, a bare face might be perceived as not being fully “put together” or not taking the job seriously enough. This highlights a subtle but important difference in social expectations in the workplace.

化妆 (huàzhuāng) is an everyday term used in various contexts.

• As a Verb: This is its most common function. It describes the action of applying makeup.
  • e.g., 我每天早上都化妆。 (Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang dōu huàzhuāng.) - “I put on makeup every morning.”
• As a Noun: While the specific word for cosmetics is 化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn), 化妆 can be used as a noun to refer to the “makeup look” itself.
  • e.g., 你今天的化妆很漂亮！ (Nǐ jīntiān de huàzhuāng hěn piàoliang!) - “Your makeup looks beautiful today!”
• In Social Media: The term 美妆 (měizhuāng), literally “beauty makeup,” is more common when discussing the industry, trends, or influencers (美妆博主, měizhuāng bózhǔ - beauty bloggers/vloggers).

化妆 is generally a neutral term. The connotation depends entirely on the context of the conversation.

• Example 1:
  • 我出门前需要十分钟化妆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chūmén qián xūyào shí fēnzhōng huàzhuāng.
  • English: I need ten minutes to put on makeup before I go out.
  • Analysis: A simple, practical sentence for talking about a daily routine. 出门前 (chūmén qián) means “before going out.”
• Example 2:
  • 你每天都化妆吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ měitiān dōu huàzhuāng ma?
  • English: Do you put on makeup every day?
  • Analysis: A common question used between friends. The structure “每天都 (měitiān dōu)…” means “every day” and emphasizes the routine nature.
• Example 3:
  • 她不喜欢化妆，她觉得自然最美。
  • Pinyin: Tā bù xǐhuān huàzhuāng, tā juédé zìrán zuì měi.
  • English: She doesn't like to put on makeup; she thinks natural is the most beautiful.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows a preference. 自然最美 (zìrán zuì měi) is a common phrase expressing appreciation for natural beauty.
• Example 4:
  • 为了参加晚会，她化了一个很精致的妆。
  • Pinyin: Wèile cānjiā wǎnhuì, tā huàle yíge hěn jīngzhì de zhuāng.
  • English: In order to attend the party, she put on a very exquisite makeup look.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how 化妆 can be “separated.” The structure 化 + [description] + 的 + 妆 is very common for describing a specific style of makeup.
• Example 5:
  • 睡觉以前，你一定要记得卸妆。
  • Pinyin: Shuìjiào yǐqián, nǐ yídìng yào jìdé xièzhuāng.
  • English: Before you go to sleep, you must remember to remove your makeup.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces the opposite action, 卸妆 (xièzhuāng) - to remove makeup. It's a crucial related term.
• Example 6:
  • 她的职业是化妆师，给演员化妆。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zhíyè shì huàzhuāngshī, gěi yǎnyuán huàzhuāng.
  • English: Her profession is a makeup artist; she puts makeup on actors.
  • Analysis: This shows the related noun 化妆师 (huàzhuāngshī) - makeup artist. Note the structure 给 (gěi) + [person] + 化妆, meaning “to put makeup on [person].”
• Example 7:
  • 你不化妆也很好看。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bù huàzhuāng yě hěn hǎokàn.
  • English: You look great even without makeup.
  • Analysis: A common and kind compliment. The “不…也…” structure means “even if not…, still…”.
• Example 8:
  • 我最近在网上学习怎么化妆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn zài wǎngshàng xuéxí zěnme huàzhuāng.
  • English: I've recently been learning how to do makeup online.
  • Analysis: A very modern and relatable sentence, referring to online tutorials. 怎么 (zěnme) means “how to.”
• Example 9:
  • 面试的时候，化一点淡妆会显得更专业。
  • Pinyin: Miànshì de shíhòu, huà yìdiǎn dànzhuāng huì xiǎnde gèng zhuānyè.
  • English: During a job interview, putting on a little light makeup will make you appear more professional.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the cultural point of professional makeup. 淡妆 (dànzhuāng) means “light makeup.”
• Example 10:
  • 这种化妆风格在抖音上非常流行。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng huàzhuāng fēnggé zài Dǒuyīn shàng fēicháng liúxíng.
  • English: This style of makeup is very popular on Douyin.
  • Analysis: This connects the term to modern social media culture. 抖音 (Dǒuyīn) is the Chinese name for TikTok.

• 化妆 (huàzhuāng) vs. 化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn): This is the most common mistake for beginners.
  • 化妆 (huàzhuāng): The action or the look. (e.g., 我想学化妆。 - I want to learn to do makeup.)
  • 化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn): The products. 品 (pǐn) means product or item. (e.g., 我需要买新的化妆品。 - I need to buy new cosmetics.)
  • Incorrect: “我要买化妆。” This would sound like “I want to buy the act of putting on makeup.”
• Separable Verb: 化妆 is a verb-object compound, which means it can be separated. This allows you to describe the makeup in more detail.
  • Correct: 她化了一个漂亮的妆。 (Tā huàle yíge piàoliang de zhuāng.) - She put on a beautiful makeup look.
  • Less Natural: 她化了漂亮的妆。 While understandable, inserting 一个 makes the sentence flow better.
• Not for “Dressing Up”: While 化妆 is part of getting ready, the broader term for “dressing up” or “getting dolled up” (including clothes, hair, etc.) is 打扮 (dǎban). If you want to say “She likes to dress up,” 她喜欢打扮 (tā xǐhuān dǎban) is more appropriate than 她喜欢化妆, which only refers to makeup.

• 化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn) - Cosmetics, makeup products. The physical items used for the action of 化妆.
• 卸妆 (xièzhuāng) - To remove makeup. The direct antonym action.
• 美妆 (měizhuāng) - Beauty makeup. A more modern, industry term used for trends, vlogs, and products.
• 素颜 (sùyán) - A bare face; a face without any makeup on.
• 化妆师 (huàzhuāngshī) - Makeup artist. The professional who performs 化妆.
• 打扮 (dǎban) - To dress up, to get ready. A broader concept that includes hair, clothing, and 化妆.
• 护肤 (hùfū) - Skincare. The process of taking care of one's skin, often seen as the foundation for good makeup.
• 口红 (kǒuhóng) - Lipstick. (Lit: “mouth red”). One of the most common types of 化妆品.
• 粉底 (fěndǐ) - Foundation. (Lit: “powder base”).
• 淡妆 (dànzhuāng) - Light makeup. The opposite is 浓妆 (nóngzhuāng) - heavy makeup.