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March 24, 2026
妆(妝)zhuāng(zhuang1)
The character 妆 (zhuāng) refers to the act of adorning oneself, particularly in the context of makeup or dress. It is commonly used when talking about women preparing for special occasions or performances, emphasizing the beauty and enhancement aspect of personal appearance.
Strokes6Radical女Frequency#5095DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 妆 is significant in Chinese culture, particularly during festivals and weddings where elaborate makeup and attire are essential. Traditional Chinese opera also emphasizes stage makeup, showcasing the cultural importance of this character.
Memory Tip
Imagine a woman putting on a dazzling 'zhuāng' of makeup before a grand ball, with the character 妆 resembling a mirror reflecting her beauty. The radical for 'woman' (女) is present, highlighting its feminine context.
Meanings of 妆
zhuāng(zhuang1)
1(of a woman) to adorn oneself
2makeup
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 妆 means.
About 妆
妆Simplified
妝Traditional
6Strokes
女Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#5095Frequency Rank
Podcast: 妆
Podcast: 妆
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AI Study Notes for 妆
Quick Contrast
妆 (makeup) vs 装 (to decorate) — use 妆 when specifically referring to makeup on the face, while 装 can refer to general decoration or adornment, not limited to makeup.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 妆 with other similar-sounding words. It is primarily used in informal contexts related to beauty; however, the word can also appear in formal discussions about art and performance. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing zhuāng can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 妆 is not in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other HSK words related to beauty and clothing, such as 衣 (clothes) and 美 (beautiful). Focus on recognizing its use in everyday conversations about fashion and makeup.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 妆 in formal contexts, thinking it can replace more general terms for clothing or dress. For example, saying '我今天穿妆' is incorrect; it should be '我今天穿衣服' (I am wearing clothes).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 妆
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How Well Do You Know 妆?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 妆 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
妆 = 女 + 丬. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 妆
IDS Structure⿰丬女
妆Full Character
=
丬qiang2
left
女nü3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 妆?
How to say (of a woman) to adorn oneself in Chinese
“(of a woman) to adorn oneself” in Chinese is妆zhuāng
The character 妆 (zhuāng) refers to the act of adorning oneself, particularly in the context of makeup or dress. It is commonly used when talking about women preparing for special occasions or performances, emphasizing the beauty and enhancement aspect of personal appearance.
When to use 妆
Learners often confuse 妆 with other similar-sounding words. It is primarily used in informal contexts related to beauty; however, the word can also appear in formal discussions about art and performance. Be cautious with the tone, as mispronouncing zhuāng can change the meaning.
妆 or something close to it
妆 (makeup) vs 装 (to decorate) — use 妆 when specifically referring to makeup on the face, while 装 can refer to general decoration or adornment, not limited to makeup.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 妆 in formal contexts, thinking it can replace more general terms for clothing or dress. For example, saying '我今天穿妆' is incorrect; it should be '我今天穿衣服' (I am wearing clothes).
Write 妆
妆
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Practice writing 妆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 妆
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). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她已化好____，并涂黑了睫毛。
She had put on her make-up and darkened her eyelashes.
Example Sentences for 妆 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
她已化好妆，并涂黑了睫毛。
tā yǐ huà hǎo zhuāng， ， bìng tú hēi le jié。
She had put on her make-up and darkened her eyelashes.
2
她化好妆，准备出发。
tā huà hǎo zhuāng， ， zhǔn bèi chū。
She was made-up and ready to go.
3
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 zuǐ chún kàn shàng qù hé nóng yàn de yǎn zhuāng bù xiāng chēng。
Very dark glossy lips look wrong with heavily made-up eyes.
4
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.
5
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。
