润唇膏
run chun gao
The English phrase 'chapstick' is translated into Chinese as 润唇膏 (run chun gao).
润唇膏 is the standard generic term used in Chinese for any lip balm product. While 'chapstick' is a brand name in English, 润唇膏 is the standard generic term used in Chinese for any lip balm product.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 润 (moisturize), 唇 (lips) and 膏 (paste/ointment).
Which one should you use?
A common alternative term for lip balm is 护唇膏 (hù chún gāo), where 护 means to protect.
How do you pronounce it?
run chun gao
Did you know?
- The character 润 in 润唇膏 is also used in the term 润色 to describe polishing a piece of writing or adding finishing touches to a painting.
- While 润唇膏 refers to balm, the character 膏 can also refer to traditional concentrated herbal pastes or thick medicinal syrups.
- If you are looking for a more medical or heavy-duty version of lip balm to treat cracked skin, you might encounter the term 凡士林 (fán shì lín), which is the Chinese transliteration for 'Vaseline'.
Examples in context
- 你的润唇膏在哪儿？Nǐ de rùnchúngāo zài nǎr?Where is your chapstick?
- 冬天需要涂润唇膏。Dōngtiān xūyào tú rùnchúngāo.You need to apply chapstick in winter.
- 这支润唇膏很好用。Zhè zhī rùnchúngāo hěn hǎoyòng.This chapstick is very good.
Example conversation
雨婷 asks 伟 if he has any lip balm because her lips are dry.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你有润唇膏吗？Wěi, nǐ yǒu rùnchúngāo ma?Wei, do you have any chapstick?
- 伟 Wei我有，你要用吗？Wǒ yǒu, nǐ yào yòng ma?I have some, do you want to use it?
- 雨婷 Yuting我的嘴唇很干。Wǒ de zuǐchún hěn gān.My lips are very dry.
- 伟 Wei给你，快涂上吧。Gěi nǐ, kuài tú shàng ba.Here, go ahead and apply it.
