化妝品
faa3 zong1 ban2
In Cantonese, makeup is 化妝品 (faa3 zong1 ban2).
化妝品 refers specifically to makeup products or cosmetics. If you want to describe the act of putting on makeup, you would use 化妝 instead.
Meaning: cosmetics, colorants and other substances applied to the skin to alter its appearance (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 化妝品 is composed of 化妝, which means to apply makeup and 品, meaning goods or products.
Which one should you use?
化妝品 is used to refer to the physical products or cosmetics, whereas 化妝 is used to describe the process or act of applying makeup. Additionally, 化粧 is a variation of 化妝 that is acceptable in most contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, people sometimes refer to makeup as 化妝品.
How do you pronounce it?
faa3 zong1 ban2
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, if you want to say someone is 'wearing' makeup, you use the verb 搽 meaning 'to smear' or 'to apply' rather than a verb for 'wearing' clothing.
- While 化妝品 refers to the products, a common way to describe a person who is heavily made up is to say they are 'painted' with 畫 'paint'.
- The character 化 in 化妝 can also mean 'to transform' or 'to change', implying that makeup is a way to transform one's appearance.
Examples in context
- 我需要買化妝品。I need to buy makeup.
- 呢啲化妝品好貴。ni1 di1 fa3 zong1 ban2 hou2 gwai3.These cosmetics are very expensive.
- 我想買新嘅化妝品。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 san1 ge3 fa3 zong1 ban2.I want to buy new cosmetics.
- 佢嘅化妝品喺邊度買？keoi5 ge3 fa3 zong1 ban2 hai2 bin1 dou6 maai5?Where did she buy her cosmetics?
Example conversation
The couple is walking through a shopping mall.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想去嗰間舖頭買化妝品。ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 go2 gaan1 pou3 tau4 maai5 fa3 zong1 ban2.I want to go to that shop to buy some makeup.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好啊，我陪你去。hou2 aa3, ngo5 pui4 nei5 heoi3.Sure, I'll go with you.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung你覺得邊款化妝品好睇啲？nei5 gok3 dak1 bin1 fun2 fa3 zong1 ban2 hou2 tai2 di1?Which makeup do you think looks better?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我都唔太清楚，你揀就得。ngo5 dou1 m4 taai3 cing1 co2, nei5 gaan2 zau6 dak1.I'm not really sure, just pick whatever you like.
