화장
hwajang[ɸwa̠d͡ʑa̠ŋ]
The English phrase 'makeup' can be translated into Korean as 화장 (hwajang). If unsure, use 화장. Wiktionary also lists 메이크업 (meikeueop).
Meaning: cosmetics, colorants and other substances applied to the skin to alter its appearance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 화장 | hwajang | [ɸwa̠d͡ʑa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈɸwa̠(ː)d͡ʑa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 메이크업 | meikeueop | [me̞ikxɯʌ̹p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The noun 화장 refers to makeup. If you want to refer specifically to cosmetics or beauty products, use the word 화장품. To express the action of 'doing makeup' or 'applying makeup', you use the noun with the verb 'to do' (하다), resulting in the phrase 화장을 하다. Conversely, to say 'to remove makeup' or 'to wash off makeup', you use the verb 'to erase/remove' (지우다) with 화장, creating the phrase 화장을 지우다. The verb 화장하다 can also be used to mean 'to do makeup'.
Which one should you use?
화장 is the standard Korean word for makeup. 메이크업 is a transliteration of the English word 'makeup' and is frequently used in professional contexts, such as when saying 'makeup artist' (메이크업 아티스트).
How do you pronounce it?
hwajang
Did you know?
- The word 화장 is a homonym with a much darker meaning: 'cremation'. Depending on the context, the same sound can refer to applying cosmetics or the process of burning a body after death.
- Korean beauty culture has a specific term 꾸안꾸, which describes a style of 화장 that looks natural. It is a contraction of a phrase meaning 'dressing up but pretending you did not'.
- In historical Korean dramas, you may see the term 연지곤지 to describe traditional 화장. This refers specifically to the red dots applied to the cheeks and forehead of a bride.
Examples in context
- 메이크업 아티스트Makeup artistThis example is useful for seeing how the loanword 메이크업 is used in the term 'makeup artist'.
- 화장을 하다.To do makeup.
- 오늘은 화장하셨어요?Did you do makeup today?
- 화장이 아주 잘 됐네요.hwajangi aju jal dwaetneyo.Your makeup looks very good.
- 그녀는 화장이 매우 진해요.geunyeoneun hwajangi mae-u jinhaeyo.Her makeup is very heavy.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are getting ready for a party.
- 수빈 Su-bin제 화장 어때요? 괜찮아요?je hwajang eottaeyo? gwaenchanayo?How is my makeup? Does it look okay?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 아주 자연스럽고 예뻐요.ne, aju jayeonseureopgo yeppeoyo.Yes, it looks very natural and pretty.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이다. 고마워요, 현우 씨.dahaeng-ida. gomawoyo, Hyeon-u ssi.I'm glad. Thank you, Hyunwoo.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이제 빨리 출발해요.ije ppalli chulbalhaeyo.Now let's leave quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “makeup” translations and entries 화장, 메이크업, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 메이크업, 화장, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
