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胭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
胭yāncosmetics, rougen, 10 strokes, radical ⺼
yān(yan1) T1
  1. 1cosmetics, rouge
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March 24, 2026

胭yān(yan1)

The character 胭 (yān) refers to cosmetics, particularly rouge or blush used on the cheeks. It is commonly associated with beauty and adornment in Chinese culture, often used in contexts relating to makeup and personal grooming.

Strokes10Radical⺼
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the use of 胭 (rouge) has been prominent in historical beauty practices, particularly in operas and paintings, where exaggerated facial features were emphasized to convey emotions and character traits.

Memory Tip

Imagine a beautiful woman applying a deep red blush called 'yān' on her cheeks. The character 胭 looks like a woman (the radical 女) enhancing her beauty with color, and the 'y' sound in yān can remind you of 'yarn' being spun into something beautiful.

Meanings of 胭

yān(yan1)
1cosmetics, rouge
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 胭 means.

About 胭

胭Simplified
10Strokes
⺼Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 胭

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Podcast: 胭

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AI Study Notes for 胭

Quick Contrast

胭 (rouge) vs 粉 (powder) — choose 胭 when specifically referring to cheek color, while 粉 refers to face powder in general.

Usage Notes

While 胭 is specifically used for rouge, it is often used in more formal contexts related to cosmetics. A common mistake is confusing it with other terms for makeup; remember that 胭 is specifically for blush. Also, avoid using it in very casual conversations about makeup.

HSK Study Tips

Although 胭 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other beauty-related words like 化妆 (huàzhuāng - makeup) and 美 (měi - beauty). Students should focus on the context of beauty and cosmetics to reinforce their understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 胭 with other makeup terms like 妆 (zhuāng - makeup) or 彩妆 (cǎizhuāng - cosmetics). For example, saying '我喜欢用妆' instead of '我喜欢用胭' is incorrect; use 胭 when specifically referring to rouge.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 胭

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Etymology of 胭

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

flesh

Semantic (meaning)⺼
+
Phonetic (sound)因
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

胭 = ⺼ + 因. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 胭

IDS Structure⿰⺼因
胭Full Character
=
⺼rou4
left
因yin1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 胭?

How to say cosmetics, rouge in Chinese

“cosmetics, rouge” in Chinese is胭yān

The character 胭 (yān) refers to cosmetics, particularly rouge or blush used on the cheeks. It is commonly associated with beauty and adornment in Chinese culture, often used in contexts relating to makeup and personal grooming.

When to use 胭

While 胭 is specifically used for rouge, it is often used in more formal contexts related to cosmetics. A common mistake is confusing it with other terms for makeup; remember that 胭 is specifically for blush. Also, avoid using it in very casual conversations about makeup.

胭 or something close to it

胭 (rouge) vs 粉 (powder) — choose 胭 when specifically referring to cheek color, while 粉 refers to face powder in general.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 胭 with other makeup terms like 妆 (zhuāng - makeup) or 彩妆 (cǎizhuāng - cosmetics). For example, saying '我喜欢用妆' instead of '我喜欢用胭' is incorrect; use 胭 when specifically referring to rouge.

Write 胭

胭

Practice writing 胭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 胭

胭 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

将____脂调匀涂在你脸颊红润的地方。

Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.

Example Sentences for 胭 (3)

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1
将胭脂调匀涂在你脸颊红润的地方。

jiāng yān zhī tiáo yún tú zài nǐ liǎn jiá hóng rùn de dì fāng。

Dust and blend blusher on the apples of your cheeks.
2
她回来时,两边面颊上涂有一点淡淡的胭脂.

tā huí lái shí, , liǎng biān miàn jiá shàng tú yǒu yī diǎn dàn dàn de yān.

She returned wearing a dab of rouge on each cheekbone.
3
她往脸上搽了粉,抹了口红和胭脂。

tā wǎng liǎn shàng chá le fěn, , mǒ le kǒu hóng hé yān。

She powdered her face and applied her lipstick and rouge.

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Word Family of 胭

Words Containing This Character3
胭脂rouge
胭yānrouge
胭脂鱼mullet胭脂魚
Exercise 1 of 2

Words with 胭

What does 胭脂 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 胭

It specifically refers to rouge or blush used on the cheeks.

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