化妆 30秒で
- A common verb meaning 'to put on makeup' or 'to apply cosmetics' to the face.
- A separable verb (离合词), where adjectives or durations are often inserted between the two characters.
- Essential for discussing daily routines, beauty standards, and professional stage preparations in Chinese.
- Distinguishable from its homophone 化装, which means to disguise or wear a costume.
The term 化妆 (huàzhuāng) is a fundamental Chinese verb that translates directly to 'to put on makeup' or 'to apply cosmetics.' In the modern Chinese linguistic landscape, this word encompasses a wide range of activities, from a simple morning routine involving basic skincare and a touch of lipstick to the elaborate transformations seen in the entertainment industry or traditional Chinese opera. At its core, the character 化 (huà) means to transform, change, or melt, while 妆 (zhuāng) refers to adornment, dress, or specifically, the facial application of powders and paints. Together, they describe the act of transforming one's appearance through the use of beauty products.
- Daily Routine
- In everyday life, you will hear people use 化妆 to describe their preparation for work, school, or social gatherings. It is a neutral term that applies to any gender, though it is traditionally associated more with women in a domestic context. However, with the rise of the 'male beauty' economy in China, the term is increasingly used by men as well.
- Professional Context
- In the film and theater industries, a 化妆师 (huàzhuāngshī) is a professional makeup artist. Here, the word takes on a more technical meaning, involving character design, prosthetics, and historical accuracy.
她每天出门前都要花一个小时化妆。(She spends an hour putting on makeup every day before going out.)
Historically, the concept of 化妆 in China dates back thousands of years. Ancient texts describe women using rice powder to whiten their faces and soot from charred sticks to darken their eyebrows. The evolution of the term mirrors the evolution of Chinese society itself—from the rigid beauty standards of the imperial courts to the Western-influenced styles of the 1920s Shanghai, and finally to the diverse, globally-influenced 'C-beauty' trends of today. When you use this word, you aren't just talking about a physical act; you're touching upon a deep-seated cultural practice of self-presentation and social etiquette known as 'giving face' or maintaining one's public image.
不化妆我也觉得你很漂亮。(I think you are beautiful even without makeup.)
Using 化妆 (huàzhuāng) correctly requires understanding its status as a separable verb (离合词 líhécí). In Chinese grammar, many two-character verbs are actually a combination of an action (化) and an object (妆). This structural nuance is the most common hurdle for English speakers who are used to 'makeup' being a noun or 'to put on makeup' being a multi-word phrase.
- The Separable Structure
- Because 妆 is technically the object, you cannot place another object directly after 化妆. For example, you cannot say '化妆脸' (makeup face). Instead, you use patterns like '给...化妆' (to apply makeup to someone). For instance, '化妆师在给模特化妆' (The makeup artist is applying makeup to the model).
你化过妆了吗？(Have you already put on your makeup?)
When adding duration or frequency, the word splits. You would say '化了半天妆' (spent a long time putting on makeup) rather than '化妆了半天'. Similarly, if you want to describe the *type* of makeup, the adjective goes between the two characters. '化淡妆' (huà dànzhuāng) means to apply light makeup, while '化浓妆' (huà nóngzhuāng) means to apply heavy or 'thick' makeup. This pattern is essential for moving from a basic A2 level to a more natural B1/B2 fluency.
这个演员正在后台化妆。(The actor is currently putting on makeup backstage.)
In a passive or descriptive sense, you might see it used with the particle '的'. For example, '化妆后的她看起来完全不同' (After putting on makeup, she looks completely different). Here, 化妆 acts as a modifier for the state of the person. It's also worth noting that in casual conversation, especially among younger generations, the word can be used as a noun in specific contexts like '化妆品' (makeup products/cosmetics), which is the most common way to refer to the physical items themselves.
You will encounter 化妆 (huàzhuāng) in a variety of real-world settings across the Chinese-speaking world. From the bustling makeup counters of Shanghai's Nanjing Road to the viral 'Get Ready With Me' (GRWM) videos on platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), the word is ubiquitous.
- Social Media & Influencers
- In the 'Wanghong' (internet celebrity) culture, 化妆 is a central theme. Influencers often post '化妆教程' (makeup tutorials) where they demonstrate everything from 'plain face' (素颜 sùyán) to a full 'exquisite makeup' (精致妆容 jīngzhì zhuāngróng). If you are watching a livestream, you might hear the host say, '我们要开始化妆了' (We are about to start the makeup application).
她在小红书上分享她的化妆心得。(She shares her makeup tips and experiences on Xiaohongshu.)
In professional settings, particularly in the wedding industry—which is a massive business in China—you will hear this word constantly. A '新娘化妆' (bridal makeup) session is a standard part of any Chinese wedding day, often starting as early as 4 or 5 AM. You'll hear photographers asking, '化妆好了吗？' (Is the makeup finished?) to ensure the bride is ready for the photoshoot.
很多上班族认为上班化妆是对同事的尊重。(Many office workers believe that wearing makeup to work is a sign of respect for colleagues.)
Finally, in the context of traditional arts like Beijing Opera (京剧 Jīngjù), 化妆 is used to describe the intricate facial painting that defines different character types (脸谱 liǎnpǔ). In this setting, the process is highly ritualized and can take several hours, involving specialized pigments and techniques that have been passed down for generations. Hearing the word in a theater context immediately brings to mind the vibrant reds, blacks, and whites of these iconic masks.
While 化妆 (huàzhuāng) seems straightforward, learners often stumble over its homophones and its unique grammatical structure. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound significantly more authentic.
- Confusion with 化装 (huàzhuāng)
- The most common mistake is confusing 化妆 with its homophone 化装. While they sound identical, 化妆 (with the 'woman' radical 妆) specifically refers to beauty makeup. 化装 (with the 'clothing' radical 装) refers to 'disguise' or 'costume.' For example, a spy would 化装 to hide their identity, whereas a bride would 化妆 to look beautiful. If you write the wrong character, you change the meaning from 'beautifying' to 'disguising.'
错误: 他化妆成了一个老人。(Wrong: He put on beauty makeup to become an old man.)
正确: 他化装成了一个老人。(Correct: He disguised himself as an old man.)
Another frequent error involves the placement of the 'completion' marker 了 (le). Because 化妆 is a verb-object compound, 了 should ideally follow the verb part (化) if you are focusing on the action being completed. Saying '化妆了' is acceptable in a general sense, but '化了妆' is more common when describing a state (e.g., '她化了妆' - She has makeup on). If you say '她化妆了两个小时,' it's grammatically weaker than '她化了两个小时的妆.'
不要在公交车上化妆，这样不安全。(Don't apply makeup on the bus; it's not safe.)
Lastly, learners often forget that 化妆 is an intransitive verb in its base form. You cannot 'makeup your face' (化妆你的脸). You simply 'makeup' (化妆). If you want to specify the target, you must use the preposition '给' (gěi) or '在...上' (zài...shang). For example: '她在脸上化妆' (She is applying makeup on her face). Understanding this 'object-inside-the-verb' logic is the key to mastering many Chinese verbs.
In Chinese, there are several words related to grooming and appearance that are often used alongside or instead of 化妆 (huàzhuāng). Knowing the nuances between them will help you choose the right word for the right situation.
- 打扮 (dǎban) vs. 化妆 (huàzhuāng)
- 打扮 (dǎban) is a broader term meaning 'to dress up' or 'to deck out.' It includes choosing clothes, styling hair, and putting on makeup. 化妆 specifically refers to the application of cosmetics to the face. You can 打扮 without 化妆 (by just wearing nice clothes), but 化妆 is usually a part of 打扮.
- 梳妆 (shūzhuāng)
- 梳妆 (shūzhuāng) is a more literary or old-fashioned term. It combines 'combing hair' (梳) and 'applying makeup' (妆). You will often see this in period dramas or historical novels, referring to a lady's morning toilet at her '梳妆台' (dressing table).
- 卸妆 (xièzhuāng)
- 卸妆 (xièzhuāng) is the direct antonym of 化妆. It means 'to remove makeup.' The character 卸 means to unload or remove. Using '卸妆水' (makeup remover water) is a standard part of a skincare routine.
她今天打扮得很漂亮，还专门化了妆。(She dressed up very beautifully today and even specifically put on makeup.)
There are also specific terms for different styles of makeup. 淡妆 (dànzhuāng) refers to a 'natural' or 'light' look, which is preferred for daily office work. 浓妆 (nóngzhuāng) refers to heavy or bold makeup, suitable for stage performances or parties. In recent years, the term 素颜 (sùyán), meaning 'plain face' or 'no makeup,' has become a popular buzzword, often used to praise someone's natural beauty ('素颜女神' - No-makeup goddess).
How Formal Is It?
豆知識
In ancient China, white lead powder was used for foundation, which was actually poisonous! This gave rise to the phrase '洗尽铅华' (washing away the lead powder) to mean retiring from a flashy life.
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing 'zh' as a soft 'z' (like 'zhuang' instead of 'j-uang').
- Failing to use the fourth tone for 'huà' and the first tone for 'zhuāng'.
- Confusing the 'ua' in 'hua' with a simple 'u' sound.
- Making the 'ng' at the end of 'zhuang' too hard or too soft.
- Blending the two characters together without clear tonal distinction.
難易度
The characters are relatively common and the 'woman' radical provides a good clue for the meaning.
The character '妆' has several strokes and is a bit more complex for beginners to write accurately.
The pronunciation is straightforward, but the tones must be clear to avoid confusion with 'disguise'.
Hard to distinguish from 化装 (disguise) without context.
次に学ぶべきこと
前提知識
次に学ぶ
レベル別の例文
我不化妆。
I don't put on makeup.
Simple negation using '不'.
她每天化妆。
She puts on makeup every day.
Subject + Time + Verb.
妈妈在化妆。
Mom is putting on makeup.
Continuous action with '在'.
你会化妆吗？
Do you know how to put on makeup?
Using '会' for an acquired skill.
她化妆很漂亮。
She looks beautiful with makeup.
Verb + Adjective to describe the result.
我去化妆。
I'm going to put on makeup.
Subject + 去 + Verb.
这是她的化妆品。
These are her makeup products.
Using the noun form '化妆品'.
姐姐不喜欢化妆。
Older sister doesn't like putting on makeup.
Subject + 不喜欢 + Verb.
她正在房间里化妆。
She is currently putting on makeup in the room.
正在...里 indicates a continuous action in a location.
你化完妆了吗？
Have you finished putting on your makeup?
化完妆 indicates completion of the action.
我想化个淡妆。
I want to put on some light makeup.
化个淡妆 uses the 'verb + measure word + adjective + object' pattern.
化妆师给她化妆。
The makeup artist is applying makeup to her.
Using '给' to show who the action is performed for.
化妆以后，她看起来更自信了。
After putting on makeup, she looks more confident.
化妆以后 (After makeup) as a time clause.
你化妆要多久？
How long does it take you to put on makeup?
Asking for duration of the action.
她没化妆就出门了。
She went out without putting on makeup.
没...就... (did not... and then...).
这里有化妆间吗？
Is there a makeup room (dressing room) here?
化妆间 as a compound noun.
她化了半天妆，还是不满意。
She spent a long time putting on makeup but is still not satisfied.
Inserting duration '半天' between 化 and 妆.
这个演员化了两个小时的妆。
This actor spent two hours in makeup.
Duration with '的' before the object '妆'.
为了晚会，她专门化了浓妆。
For the party, she specifically put on heavy makeup.
化浓妆 is a common collocation.
你应该先洗脸再化妆。
You should wash your face first, then put on makeup.
Sequence using '先...再...'.
虽然她没化妆，但皮肤很好。
Although she isn't wearing makeup, her skin is very good.
Concession clause with '虽然...但...'.
如果你不化妆，我会认不出你。
If you don't wear makeup, I won't recognize you.
Conditional sentence with '如果...就...'.
她对化妆非常有研究。
She has studied makeup application very thoroughly.
对...有研究 (to have research/knowledge about...).
他在台上化妆成了孙悟空。
He was made up as Sun Wukong (Monkey King) on stage.
化妆成 (to be made up as/into).
化妆不仅是为了美，也是一种礼仪。
Makeup is not only for beauty but also a form of etiquette.
Not only... but also... structure.
现在的男孩子也开始注重化妆了。
Nowadays, boys are also starting to pay attention to makeup.
注重 (to pay attention to/attach importance to).
她熟练地化着妆，动作非常快。
She was skillfully applying makeup, her movements were very fast.
Using '着' to show the state of the action.
由于过敏，她已经好几天没化妆了。
Due to allergies, she hasn't put on makeup for several days.
Cause and effect with '由于'.
化妆品行业在中国的竞争非常激烈。
The cosmetics industry competition in China is very fierce.
Discussing the industry context.
她化了妆之后，判若两人。
After she put on makeup, she looked like a completely different person.
Using the idiom '判若两人'.
不管化不化妆，自信才是最重要的。
Whether you wear makeup or not, confidence is the most important thing.
Regardless of... (不管...还是...).
她正在学习如何根据脸型来化妆。
She is learning how to apply makeup based on face shape.
根据...来... (based on... to...).
京剧的化妆艺术具有深厚的文化底蕴。
The makeup art of Beijing Opera has deep cultural significance.
Using formal academic vocabulary like '底蕴'.
她巧妙地利用化妆掩饰了脸上的瑕疵。
She skillfully used makeup to conceal the imperfections on her face.
Adverbial use of '巧妙地'.
这种化妆风格深受年轻一代的青睐。
This style of makeup is highly favored by the younger generation.
Passive structure '深受...青睐'.
化妆师通过光影的处理，让模特的五官更立体。
Through the handling of light and shadow, the makeup artist made the model's features more three-dimensional.
Technical description of makeup techniques.
过度化妆可能会对皮肤造成一定的负担。
Excessive makeup application may place a certain burden on the skin.
Discussing health and side effects.
她的化妆技巧已经达到了炉火纯青的地步。
Her makeup skills have reached a level of perfection.
Using the idiom '炉火纯青'.
在某些社交场合，不化妆被视为一种失礼。
In certain social situations, not wearing makeup is considered a breach of etiquette.
Passive voice '被视为'.
他正在撰写一篇关于中国古代化妆史的论文。
He is writing a thesis on the history of makeup in ancient China.
Academic context.
化妆在此处不仅是修饰，更是一种身份的重塑。
Makeup here is not just an embellishment but a reshaping of identity.
Philosophical discussion of identity.
现代社会的化妆文化往往受到消费主义的裹挟。
Modern makeup culture is often swept up by consumerism.
Sociological critique.
卸下妆容，她才感到获得了真正的自我释放。
Only after removing her makeup did she feel a true release of self.
Complex emotional expression.
那种浓妆艳抹的风格与她清纯的气质格格不入。
That heavily made-up style is completely out of step with her pure temperament.
Using '格格不入' (out of place).
化妆作为一种视觉语言，传递着复杂的社会信号。
Makeup, as a visual language, conveys complex social signals.
Metaphorical use of 'language'.
他通过化妆将自己隐匿在人群之中，这是一种行为艺术。
He used makeup to hide himself in the crowd; this is a form of performance art.
Conceptualizing makeup as art.
探讨化妆的本质，离不开对人类审美心理的剖析。
Exploring the essence of makeup is inseparable from analyzing human aesthetic psychology.
Deep analytical tone.
纵观历史，化妆的定义始终随着权力的更迭而演变。
Throughout history, the definition of makeup has always evolved with the change of power.
Historical overview using '纵观'.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— To put on a bit of makeup. The '个' makes it sound more casual.
等我一下，我先化个妆。
— Not wearing makeup. Refers to a natural state.
她今天没化妆就来了。
— To have finished putting on makeup.
你化好妆了吗？我们该走了。
— To not know how to apply makeup.
我还是个学生，还不会化妆。
— To love putting on makeup.
她从小就很爱化妆。
— To begin the process of applying makeup.
化妆师准备开始化妆了。
— To apply makeup specifically for a certain purpose.
她为了相亲专门化了妆。
— No need to put on makeup.
你皮肤这么好，不用化妆。
— Makeup is too heavy/thick.
我觉得她今天的化妆太浓了。
— The effect or result of the makeup.
这个化妆效果非常自然。
慣用句と表現
— To apply heavy and garish makeup. Often used to describe someone looking overly flashy.
她浓妆艳抹地出现在聚会上。
Neutral/Slightly Negative— Whether with light or heavy makeup (always beautiful). Originally from a poem by Su Shi about West Lake.
西湖之美，淡妆浓抹总相宜。
Literary— Literally 'to paint a peaceful scene.' Metaphorically, to gloss over problems to create a false sense of peace.
我们不能只是粉饰太平，要解决实际问题。
Formal/Critical— Literally 'to wash away the lead powder.' To give up a flashy lifestyle and return to simplicity.
成名多年后，她选择洗尽铅华，回到家乡。
Literary— To disguise oneself in order to hide one's identity.
间谍乔装打扮混进了人群。
Neutral— To apply fat and powder. Can be literal or metaphorical (to beautify or whitewash something).
他试图为自己的错误涂脂抹粉。
Critical— Features as beautiful as a painting. Often implies well-groomed eyebrows and eyes.
那女子生得眉目如画。
Literary— A husband painting his wife's eyebrows. A symbol of marital love and intimacy.
他们夫妻恩爱，常有张敞画眉之乐。
Literary— Face as smooth and beautiful as a piece of jade. Usually describes a handsome man.
他长得面如冠玉，气宇不凡。
Literary— National grace and heavenly fragrance. Used to describe a woman of extraordinary beauty.
她真是一位国色天香的美人。
Literary語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of 'Hua' as 'Transformation' (like in 'evolution' - 进化) and 'Zhuang' as the 'Strong' look you get when you put on your face. You transform into a stronger version of yourself with makeup.
視覚的連想
Imagine a woman sitting at a table (the radical in 妆) transforming (化) her face with a brush.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to describe your morning routine in 3 sentences using 化妆 at least twice. For example: '我每天早上化淡妆。我化妆需要十五分钟。'
語源
The term '化妆' is composed of two ancient characters. '化' (huà) originally depicted two people, one upright and one upside down, symbolizing change or transformation. '妆' (zhuāng) is composed of '爿' (representing a bed or a piece of wood) and '女' (woman), though later versions used '庄' as a phonetic component. Historically, it referred to a woman's morning ritual of dressing and painting her face.
元の意味： To transform through adornment; specifically, for a woman to arrange her hair and apply facial powders.
Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)文化的な背景
Be careful when using '浓妆艳抹' as it can sometimes imply that someone looks 'cheap' or overly artificial depending on the context.
In the West, makeup is often seen as a form of self-expression. In China, while self-expression is important, the social 'etiquette' aspect (giving face) is often more pronounced.
Summary
The word 化妆 (huàzhuāng) is the standard way to say 'to put on makeup' in Chinese. Because it is a separable verb, you should say '化了妆' (put on makeup) or '化淡妆' (apply light makeup) rather than keeping the characters together in all contexts.
- A common verb meaning 'to put on makeup' or 'to apply cosmetics' to the face.
- A separable verb (离合词), where adjectives or durations are often inserted between the two characters.
- Essential for discussing daily routines, beauty standards, and professional stage preparations in Chinese.
- Distinguishable from its homophone 化装, which means to disguise or wear a costume.
例文
她每天早上都会化妆。
関連コンテンツ
この単語を他の言語で
関連フレーズ
daily_lifeの関連語
朝九晚五
B2朝九時五時（あさくじごじ）。規則的な勤務時間のこと。
未免
B2いささか…すぎる；いかにも（行き過ぎを暗示）。「この値段はいささか高すぎます。」
废弃
B2建物や計画、法律などを、古くなったり不要になったりして使わなくなること。廃棄すること。
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
反常
B2今年の天気は非常に反常（異常）だ。(通常のパターンからの逸脱。)
充裕
B2豊かである；たっぷりある。時間や資金についてよく使われます。
充沛
B2（精力的・水などが）旺盛な、みなぎっている。例：「彼は精力充沛だ」。
门禁卡
B2建物の電子ドアを開けるために使用されるアクセスカード。
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
