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March 24, 2026
化妆(化妝)huàzhuāng(hua4zhuang1)
化妆 refers to the act of applying cosmetics to enhance or alter one's appearance. It is commonly used in contexts related to beauty, fashion, and personal grooming, often associated with social events or professional settings.
Frequency#3538DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, makeup plays a significant role in social and professional settings, often reflecting societal expectations of appearance, especially in urban areas. Makeup is also an essential part of traditional Chinese opera, where performers use extensive makeup to convey character traits.
Memory Tip
Imagine a magician (化) transforming (妆) a plain face into a beautiful one with the wave of a wand. The character 化 suggests transformation, while 妆 looks like a glamorous makeup brush making someone stunning.
Meanings of 化妆
huàzhuāng(hua4zhuang1)
1to put on makeup
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 化妆
化妆Simplified
化妝Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3538Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 化妆
Podcast: 化妆
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AI Study Notes for 化妆
Quick Contrast
化妆 (huàzhuāng) vs 打扮 (dǎban) — choose 化妆 when specifically referring to applying cosmetics, while 打扮 encompasses dressing up or grooming more broadly.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a magician (化) transforming (妆) a plain face into a beautiful one with the wave of a wand. The character 化 suggests transformation, while 妆 looks like a glamorous makeup brush making someone stunning.
Usage Notes
Be aware that 化妆 can be used both formally and informally, but it is more common in casual conversation. A common mistake is using it as a verb (e.g., '我化妆' means 'I am putting on makeup'), which might be misheard as a noun in some contexts. The phrase '化妆品' (makeup products) is a commonly used collocation.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 6 word, 化妆 connects with other HSK 6 vocabulary related to beauty and fashion, such as 美容 (beauty treatment) and 化妆师 (makeup artist). Students should focus on using it in sentences to describe actions and preferences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, makeup plays a significant role in social and professional settings, often reflecting societal expectations of appearance, especially in urban areas. Makeup is also an essential part of traditional Chinese opera, where performers use extensive makeup to convey character traits.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 化妆 with 整容 (plastic surgery), thinking they mean the same thing. A correct usage would be '我喜欢化妆' (I like to put on makeup), not '我喜欢整容' (I like to have plastic surgery) unless that is indeed the intended meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 化妆
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Grammar Patterns of 化妆
化妆 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 4
Complete the Sentence
她将一些衣服、____品和零碎物品放了进去。
She put in some clothes, odds and ends, and make-up.
Example Sentences for 化妆 (9)
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1
她将一些衣服、化妆品和零碎物品放了进去。
tā jiāng yī xiē yī fú、 、 huà zhuāng pǐn hé líng suì wù pǐn fàng le jìn。
She put in some clothes, odds and ends, and make-up.
2
那名女化妆师往杰里米的脸上涂抹假血。
nà míng nǚ huà zhuāng shī wǎng jié lǐ mǐ de liǎn shàng tú mǒ jiǎ xiě。
Put some moisturizer on as a base before applying your make - up.
7
梅拉妮把化妆盒砰的一声扔到椅子上。
méi lā nī bǎ huà zhuāng hé pēng de yī shēng rēng dào yǐ zǐ shàng。
Melanie plunked her cosmetic case down on a chair.
8
用干净的湿绒布擦去多余的化妆品。
yòng gān jìng de shī róng bù cā qù duō yú de huà zhuāng pǐn。
Wipe off any excess make-up with a clean, moist cotton flannel.
9
递过去了半块钱, 然后就听到有人敲她化妆室的门.
dì guò qù le bàn kuài qián, , rán hòu jiù tīng dào yǒu rén qiāo tā huà zhuāng shì de.
A half - dollar was passed over, and now a knock came at her dressing - room door.
Cultural Notes for 化妆
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, makeup plays a significant role in social and professional settings, often reflecting societal expectations of appearance, especially in urban areas. Makeup is also an essential part of traditional Chinese opera, where performers use extensive makeup to convey character traits.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While makeup is a universal concept, in Western cultures, it often emphasizes individual expression, whereas in Chinese culture, it can also reflect social norms and expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 化妆
化妆 refers to the act of putting on makeup, while 妆容 refers to the completed makeup look or appearance.
No, 化妆 can refer to makeup for anyone, including men, especially with the growing acceptance of male grooming and cosmetics.
You can say '你化妆了吗？' (Nǐ huàzhuāng le ma?) which means 'Have you put on makeup?'
