립스틱
ripseutik[ɾips͈ɯtʰik̚]
The English phrase 'lipstick' is translated into Korean as 립스틱 (ripseutik). Wiktionary also lists 입술연지 (ipsullyeonji) and 루주 (ruju).
Meaning: make-up for the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 립스틱 | ripseutik | [ɾips͈ɯtʰik̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 입술연지 | ipsullyeonji | [ips͈uʎʎʌ̹ɲd͡ʑi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 루주 | ruju | [ɾud͡ʑu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to make-up for the lips.
Which one should you use?
립스틱 is the standard modern loanword used in everyday conversation. In contrast, 루주 is a loanword from French that is less common in modern daily speech and can feel slightly dated or more formal/stylized. For historical or cultural contexts, 입술연지 is used to refer to traditional Korean lip rouge.
How do you pronounce it?
ripseutik
Did you know?
- Traditional 연지 was more than just a cosmetic. In historical Korean weddings, the bride applied red rouge to her cheeks and lips to ward off evil spirits and protect her from bad luck.
- While 립스틱 is the most common term, Koreans often use the word 틴트 (tint) to describe a specific type of long-lasting lip stain that is culturally preferred over traditional waxy lipsticks.
- In modern Korean beauty trends, the 'gradient lip' look is achieved by applying 립스틱 heavily in the center and blending it outward, a style that differs from the full-lip application common in the West.
Examples in context
- 브라이언은 케이트를 위해 립스틱을 샀어.Brian bought a lipstick for Kate.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 립스틱 in a sentence.Tatoeba #8367809 by Eunhee, translation #34298 by Dejo
- 언니는 항상 예쁜 립스틱을 골라요.My sister always chooses pretty lipsticks.
- 저는 향수와 립스틱이 필수품이에요.Perfume and lipstick are essential items for me.
- 이 립스틱 색깔이 정말 예뻐요.i ripsutik saekkkal-i jeongmal yeppeoyo.This lipstick color is really pretty.
- 새 립스틱을 하나 사고 싶어요.sae ripsutik-eul hana sago sipeoyo.I want to buy a new lipstick.
Example conversation
Su-bin and Ji-hun are at a cosmetics store.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 이 립스틱 어때요?Ji-hun ssi, i ripsutik eottaeyo?Ji-hun, how is this lipstick?
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨한테 잘 어울리는 것 같아요.Su-bin ssi-hante jal eoul-rineun geot gat-ayo.I think it suits you well, Su-bin.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 그럼 이걸로 살게요.Jeongmal-yo? Geureom igeollo salgeyo.Really? Then I will buy this one.
- 지훈 Ji-hun색깔이 아주 잘 어울려요.Saekkkal-i aju jal eoul-ryeo-yo.The color suits you very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lipstick” translations and entries 립스틱, 입술연지, 루주, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
