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B2 noun 2 min read

皱纹

zhouwen

§ Don't Confuse 皱纹 with Other Words for 'Folds' or 'Creases'

Many English speakers learning Chinese sometimes struggle with distinguishing 皱纹 (zhòuwén) from other words that might translate to 'fold' or 'crease' in English. While 皱纹 specifically refers to wrinkles on skin or fabric, other words have different uses.

DEFINITION
折痕 (zhéhén): A crease or fold, often on paper or clothing from being folded.

这张纸上有很多折痕。(Zhè zhāng zhǐ shàng yǒu hěn duō zhéhén.) — This paper has many creases.

DEFINITION
褶皱 (zhězhòu): Folds or pleats, often in clothing or geological formations, can also refer to wrinkles in a more general sense but less common for skin wrinkles.

这条裙子有很多褶皱。(Zhè tiáo qúnzi yǒu hěn duō zhězhòu.) — This skirt has many pleats/folds.

The key takeaway: when you're talking about wrinkles on someone's face, or wrinkles that appear on skin due to age or expression, always use 皱纹. For other types of folds or creases, pick the more specific word.

§ Using 皱纹 as a Verb (Incorrect)

Remember that 皱纹 is a noun. It refers to the wrinkle itself. You cannot use it directly as a verb to say 'to wrinkle.' Chinese uses different structures for that.

  • Correct way to say 'wrinkles appear':

    她的脸上开始起皱纹了。(Tā de liǎn shàng kāishǐ qǐ zhòuwén le.) — Her face started to get wrinkles.

  • Correct way to say 'to frown' (which involves wrinkling the brow):

    他皱着眉头。(Tā zhòu zhe méitou.) — He was frowning (lit. wrinkling his eyebrows).

§ Overusing 皱纹 for Non-Skin/Fabric Creases

While 皱纹 can be used for both skin and fabric wrinkles, avoid using it for things like 'creases in a mountain range' or 'folds in a map' unless you are specifically referring to a visual pattern resembling skin wrinkles. For geological features or map folds, there are more appropriate terms.

DEFINITION
地质褶皱 (dìzhì zhězhòu): Geological folds (e.g., in rock layers).
DEFINITION
地图折叠 (dìtú zhédié): Map fold (the act of folding a map).

Sticking to skin and fabric for 皱纹 will help you sound more natural and accurate in your Chinese.

Often Confused With

皱纹 vs 条纹 (tiáowén)

This means 'stripe' or 'streak', referring to a long, narrow band of color or texture, not a crease.

皱纹 vs 花纹 (huāwén)

This means 'pattern' or 'design', often decorative, and not necessarily implying a crease or fold.

皱纹 vs 裂纹 (lièwén)

This means 'crack' or 'fissure', referring to a break or split, which is different from a fold or wrinkle.

Idioms & Expressions

"眼角纹"

Crow's feet (wrinkles at the corners of the eyes)

她笑起来的时候，眼角纹很明显。 (When she smiles, her crow's feet are very obvious.)

neutral

"法令纹"

Nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth)

随着年龄增长，法令纹会越来越深。 (As one gets older, nasolabial folds become deeper and deeper.)

neutral

"抬头纹"

Forehead wrinkles

他经常皱眉，所以抬头纹很多。 (He often frowns, so he has many forehead wrinkles.)

neutral

"鱼尾纹"

Crow's feet (literally 'fish tail wrinkles')

用了这款眼霜，我的鱼尾纹变淡了。 (After using this eye cream, my crow's feet faded.)

neutral

"皱巴巴"

Wrinkled; crumpled (describing something that is very wrinkled)

这件衬衫洗完后皱巴巴的。 (This shirt is all crumpled after washing.)

neutral

"皱眉"

To frown; to knit one's brows

他皱眉思考着这个问题。 (He frowned, thinking about this problem.)

neutral

"眉头紧锁"

To have one's brows knitted tightly (indicating worry or deep thought)

听到这个消息，她眉头紧锁。 (Upon hearing this news, her brows were tightly knitted.)

neutral

"皱着脸"

To make a face; to wrinkle one's face (often in pain or disgust)

他皱着脸尝了一口苦药。 (He made a face and took a sip of the bitter medicine.)

neutral

"展平皱纹"

To smooth out wrinkles

熨斗可以展平衣服上的皱纹。 (An iron can smooth out wrinkles on clothes.)

neutral

"消除皱纹"

To eliminate wrinkles

许多护肤品声称能消除皱纹。 (Many skincare products claim to eliminate wrinkles.)

neutral

Easily Confused

皱纹 vs 纹路 (wénlù)

Both can refer to lines or patterns. '皱纹' is specifically about lines on skin or fabric due to folding/aging, while '纹路' is a broader term for natural patterns like wood grain or fingerprints.

'皱纹' implies a crease or fold, often associated with age or damage. '纹路' is a neutral term for any kind of pattern or texture.

这块木头有很漂亮的纹路。 (This piece of wood has very beautiful grain.)

皱纹 vs 褶皱 (zhězhòu)

Both refer to folds or creases. '皱纹' is often associated with the skin or fine lines. '褶皱' is more general and can apply to geological formations, clothing, or paper.

'皱纹' typically refers to small, permanent lines. '褶皱' can be larger, more temporary folds, or a more technical term for geological folds.

这张纸有很多褶皱，不能用了。 (This paper has many creases, it can't be used.)

皱纹 vs 细纹 (xìwén)

Both refer to small lines. '细纹' specifically means fine lines, often an early sign of aging. '皱纹' is a more general term for wrinkles, which can be deeper.

'细纹' emphasizes the fineness and often the early stage of lines. '皱纹' is a broader category that includes both fine and deep wrinkles.

她眼角出现了一些细纹。 (Some fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes.)

皱纹 vs 折痕 (zhéhén)

Both refer to lines created by folding. '皱纹' is organic (skin, fabric). '折痕' is typically a sharp, intentional crease on paper, clothes, or other materials.

'皱纹' forms naturally or due to wear. '折痕' is usually a result of folding something, often intentionally.

这本书中间有一道折痕。 (There is a crease in the middle of this book.)

皱纹 vs 沟壑 (gōuhè)

Both can refer to deep lines or depressions. '皱纹' refers to lines on skin or fabric. '沟壑' refers to ravines, gullies, or deep furrows in a landscape, or metaphorically, very deep lines on a face.

'皱纹' is on a smaller scale, typically on surfaces like skin or clothing. '沟壑' is on a much larger scale (landscapes) or refers to very deep, pronounced lines.

那座山上布满了深深的沟壑。 (That mountain is covered with deep ravines.)

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