Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== huàzhuāng: 化妆 - To put on makeup, Cosmetics ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **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. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **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." ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **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. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== 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. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **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 Sentences ===== * **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 **huà**le 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 **huàzhuāng**shī, 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. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **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. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[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.