化妝 / 化妆
huàzhuāng
In Chinese, makeup is expressed as 化妝 / 化妆 (huàzhuāng). If unsure, use 化妝 / 化妆. Wiktionary also lists 妝 / 妆 (zhuāng).
Meaning: cosmetics, colorants and other substances applied to the skin to alter its appearance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 化妝 / 化妆 | huàzhuāng |
| 妝 / 妆 | zhuāng |
The term refers to cosmetics. Colorants and other substances applied to the skin to alter its appearance.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 化妝 is composed of 化 (huà), meaning to change or transform and 妝 (zhuāng), meaning makeup or adornment.
Which one should you use?
The single character 妝 / 妆 can be used as a shorthand for makeup. To specifically refer to physical cosmetic products rather than the act of applying them, you should use the term 化妝品, which adds the suffix 品 (pǐn), meaning 'product'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 化妝 uses the traditional character 妝, which is standard in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The form 化妆 uses the simplified character 妆, which is standard in Mainland China and Singapore.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 化妝 functions as both a noun (makeup) and a verb (to apply makeup) in Chinese.
How do you pronounce it?
huàzhuāng
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese opera, the process of 化妝 involves specialized face-painting patterns where colors symbolize a character's personality, such as red for loyalty and white for treachery.
- The character 化 in 化妝 is the same word used to describe a magician's transformation or a chemical change.
- The character 妆 / 妝 contains the radical 女, meaning 'female', which reflects the historical association of adornment with women.
Examples in context
- 她擅长化妆，每次上台表演都是一个勇敢的女战士。She is skilled in makeup, and every time she takes the stage, she becomes a brave warrior.
- 今天的彩妆非常突出她的美丽特点。Today's makeup highlights her beautiful features.
- 你知道哪个品牌的化妆品适合敏感肌肤吗？Do you know which brand of makeup is suitable for sensitive skin?
- 明天晚上要化装去参加万圣节派对吗？Are you going to dress up for the Halloween party tomorrow night?
- 你的妆容好漂亮Your makeup looks beautiful
Sources
- Wiktionary, “makeup” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
