光澤 / 光泽
guāngzé
In Chinese, luster is translated as 光澤 / 光泽 (guāngzé). If unsure, use 光澤 / 光泽. Wiktionary also lists 光彩 (guāngcǎi).
Meaning: a shine, polish or sparkle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 光澤 / 光泽 | guāngzé |
| 光彩 | guāngcǎi |
光澤 is used to describe the physical sheen or reflective quality of a material's surface.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 光澤 is composed of 光 (light/brightness) and 澤 (gloss/moisture/luster).
Which one should you use?
While both terms relate to light, 光澤 (guāngzé) typically refers to the physical surface luster or gloss of an object, such as hair, silk or polished stone. In contrast, 光彩 (guāngcǎi) is more often used metaphorically to describe brilliance, splendor or a person's glorious reputation or appearance.
How do you pronounce it?
guāngzé
Did you know?
- The character 澤 (zé) in the word for luster literally means 'marsh' or 'wetland'. It suggests that true luster comes from a surface that looks moist or damp, like water on a stone.
- The character 光 is one of the few in Chinese that can function as both a noun meaning 'light' and an adjective meaning 'bare' or 'naked', such as in 'bare feet'.
- In traditional Chinese medicine and beauty standards, 光澤 in the skin is not just a cosmetic goal but is seen as a primary indicator of internal health and the flow of 'qi'.
Examples in context
- 这块宝石散发出美丽的光泽。This gemstone emits a beautiful luster.
- 她穿着一身华丽的礼服，光彩照人。She is wearing a gorgeous dress that shines with luster.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “luster” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
