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唇 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
唇chúnlipzg, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #4170, Hard
唇chúnlipszg, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #4170, Hard
chún(chun2)chun T2
  1. 1lip
  2. 2lips
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

唇chún(chun2)

The character 唇 (chún) refers to 'lip' or 'lips' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in both anatomical contexts and in expressions related to speaking or facial features. Understanding this character can help learners discuss emotions and physical characteristics in more detail.

Strokes10Radical口Frequency#4170DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, lips can symbolize beauty and expression, often associated with cosmetics and health. For instance, the practice of lip makeup has deep roots in traditional beauty standards and continues to be an important aspect of modern beauty culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a pair of lips shaped like a 'C' when you pronounce 'chún.' The character 唇 looks like two lips forming a smile, reminding you of the word's meaning. Picture someone pouting their lips (唇) while trying to say 'chún' to emphasize their expression.

Meanings of 唇

chún(chun2)
1lip
2lips
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 唇 means.

About 唇

唇Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#4170Frequency Rank

Podcast: 唇

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Podcast: 唇

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AI study notes for 唇

Quick Contrast

嘴 (zuǐ) — use 唇 (chún) specifically for 'lip' in anatomical contexts, while 嘴 (zuǐ) refers to 'mouth' more generally.

Usage Notes

When using 唇, be sure to clarify whether you mean a single lip or both lips, as context can change its implication. It is typically used in both formal and informal speech, but may appear more frequently in medical or descriptive contexts. A common collocation is '唇彩' (lip gloss), which relates to beauty and cosmetics.

HSK Study Tips

Although 唇 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other body parts like 口 (kǒu - mouth) and 舌 (shé - tongue) that are essential for HSK Level 2 learners. Focus on pronunciation and proper use in phrases to enhance your vocabulary about the body.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 唇 with 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth.' For example, saying '我喜欢我的口' (I like my mouth) when intending to say '唇' is incorrect. Instead, use '我喜欢我的唇' for clarity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 唇

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Etymology of 唇

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 辰 represents the sound. Simplified form of 脣.

Memory hint

mouth

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

Origin

唇 = 口 + 辰. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 唇

IDS Structure⿸辰口
唇Full character
=
辰chen2
enclosing
口kou3
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 唇?

How to say lip in Chinese

“lip” in Chinese is唇chún

The character 唇 (chún) refers to 'lip' or 'lips' in Mandarin. It is commonly used in both anatomical contexts and in expressions related to speaking or facial features. Understanding this character can help learners discuss emotions and physical characteristics in more detail.

When to use 唇

When using 唇, be sure to clarify whether you mean a single lip or both lips, as context can change its implication. It is typically used in both formal and informal speech, but may appear more frequently in medical or descriptive contexts. A common collocation is '唇彩' (lip gloss), which relates to beauty and cosmetics.

唇 or something close to it

嘴 (zuǐ) — use 唇 (chún) specifically for 'lip' in anatomical contexts, while 嘴 (zuǐ) refers to 'mouth' more generally.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 唇 with 口 (kǒu), which means 'mouth.' For example, saying '我喜欢我的口' (I like my mouth) when intending to say '唇' is incorrect. Instead, use '我喜欢我的唇' for clarity.

Write 唇

唇

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 唇

唇 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

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

你不一定非要让____膏的颜色同礼服完全搭配。

You don't have to match your lipstick exactly to your outfit.

Example sentences for 唇 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你不一定非要让唇膏的颜色同礼服完全搭配。

nǐ bùyīdìng fēi yào ràng chún gāo de yánsè tóng lǐfú wánquán dāpèi。

You don't have to match your lipstick exactly to your outfit.
2
厨师的薄唇一弯,露出一丝不易察觉的微笑。

chúshī de báo chún yī wān, lòu chū yī sī bùyì chájué de wēixiào。

A small, unobtrusive smile curved the cook's thin lips.
3
然而他的证词只是新一轮唇枪舌剑中的一股火力。

rán’ér tā de zhèng cí zhǐshì xīn yī lún chún qiāng shé jiàn zhōng de yī gǔ huǒ lì。

His testimony, however, was only one in a salvo of new attacks.
4
他俯下身去,在她嘴唇上轻轻一吻。

tā fǔ xià shēn qù, zài tā zuǐchún shàng qīng qīng yī wěn。

He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth.
5
她将最后一点饮料送到唇边。

tā jiāng zuìhòu yīdiǎn yǐnliào sòngdào chún biān。

She lifted the last of her drink to her lips.
6
她身上有严重的淤伤,嘴唇也破了。

tā shēnshang yǒu yánzhòng de yū shāng, zuǐchún yě pò le。

She had quite severe bruising and a cut lip.
7
海伦选择的唇膏很适合她的肤色。

hǎi lún xuǎnzé de chún gāo hěn shìhé tā de fū sè。

Helen's choice of lipstick was a good match for her skin-tone.
8
涂有深色唇彩的嘴唇看上去和浓艳的眼妆不相称。

tú yǒu shēn sè chún cǎi de zuǐchún kànshangqu hé nóng yàn de yǎn zhuāng bù Xiāng chèn。

Very dark glossy lips look wrong with heavily made-up eyes.
9
他上唇扁平,下唇耷拉。

tā shàng chún biǎn píng, xià chún dā lā。

His upper lip was flat, but the lower one sagged.
10
他紧张地咬着下嘴唇。

tā jǐnzhāng dì yǎo zhe xià zuǐchún。

He chewed his lower lip nervously.

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Word Family of 唇

Compounds1
滣chún
Words containing this character20
唇chúnlip
嘴唇zuǐchúnlip
唇膏chúngāolip balm
兔唇tùchúnhare lip (birth defect)
唇舌chúnshéargument
下唇xiàchúnlower lip
唇枪舌剑chúnqiāngshéjiànfight a battle of words唇槍舌劍
上唇shàngchúnupper lip
反唇相讥fǎnchúnxiāngjīto retort反唇相譏
唇齿chúnchǐinterdependent唇齒
唇齿相依chúnchǐxiāngyīinterdependent唇齒相依
阴唇yīnchúnlabia陰唇
唇亡齿寒chúnwángchǐhánlit. without the lips, the teeth feel the cold (idiom); fig. intimately interdependent唇亡齒寒
费唇舌fèichúnshéto argue needlessly費唇舌
白唇鹿báichúnlùCervus albirostris (white-lipped deer)
驴唇不对马嘴lǘchúnbúduìmǎzuǐfig. beside the point驢唇不對馬嘴
唇音chúnyīnlabial consonant
内唇nèichúnepipharynx (entomology)內唇
唇齿音chúnchǐyīnlabiodental (e.g. the consonant f in standard Chinese)唇齒音
双唇音shuāngchúnyīnbilabial consonant (b, p, or m)雙唇音
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 唇

What does 嘴唇 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 唇

唇 can be used in both anatomical discussions and in beauty contexts, such as describing lip makeup.

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