화장품
hwajangpum[ɸwa̠d͡ʑa̠ŋpʰum]
The English phrase "cosmetics" is translated into Korean as 화장품 (hwajangpum).
화장품 is a broad category that includes everything from skincare products to color cosmetics like lipstick.
Meaning: preparations to change or enhance the beauty (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 'cosmetics' as the object of a verb, such as 'to buy cosmetics', you add the object marker –을 to form 화장품을.
How do you pronounce it?
hwajangpum
Did you know?
- The word 화장 (makeup) shares the same characters as the word for 'cremation'. In the context of cosmetics it means 'decorating the face' but in a funeral context it refers to the ritual of fire.
- In Korea, the term 화장품 includes 'functional cosmetics', a legal category for products that officially claim to whiten skin or reduce wrinkles.
- The suffix -품 in 화장품 is the same used in words like 식품 (foodstuffs) or 생필품 (daily necessities), framing cosmetics as a functional category of 'goods' or 'items'.
Examples in context
- 저는 화장품을 아주 좋아해요.I really love cosmetics.
- 오늘 화장품 가게에서 새로운 화장품을 샀어.I bought new cosmetics at the cosmetics store today.
- 새 화장품을 사고 싶어요.sae hwajangpumeul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy new cosmetics.
- 이 화장품은 향이 좋아요.i hwajangpumeun hyangi joayo.This cosmetic has a nice scent.
- 화장품이 다 떨어졌어요.hwajangpumi da tteoreojyeosseoyo.I ran out of cosmetics.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyun are shopping at a store.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 이 화장품 정말 유명해요.Dohyeon ssi, i hwajangpum jeongmal yumyeonghaeyo.Do-hyun, these cosmetics are really famous.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말요? 가격이 얼마예요?jeongmallyo? ggyeogi eolmayeyo?Really? How much does it cost?
- 지은 Ji-eun생각보다 많이 저렴해요.saenggakboda mani jeoryeomhaeyo.It is cheaper than I thought.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 하나 선물로 살게요.geureom hana seonmullo salgeyo.Then I will buy one as a gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cosmetics” translations and entries 화장품, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
