Japanese Conversation · Level 64
75 words
Japanese word
化粧
Pronunciation
Romajikeshō
Meaning
- nounmakeup
Example
私は出かける前に化粧します。watashi wa de ka ke ru mae ni ke shō shi ma su
I put on makeup before going out.
More examples
面接の日は、いつもより薄く化粧をしました。men setsu no hi wa i tsu mo yo ri usu ku ke shō o shi ma shi ta
I put on lighter makeup than usual on the day of the interview.
Core concept
It centers on changing the visible appearance of the face through color, grooming, or adornment.
Common phrases
化粧をするke shō o su ru
put on makeup
化粧を落とすke shō o o to su
remove makeup
化粧を直すke shō o nao su
touch up makeup
Similar words
メイクmeiku: A casual term for changing the visible appearance of the face with cosmetics.
Definition in Japanese
顔や姿を整えるために、化粧品などを用いて見た目を美しくすること。kao ya sugata o totono e ru ta me ni ke shō hin na do o mochi i te mi ta me o utsuku shi ku su ru ko to
Word origin
The Sino-Japanese compound 化粧 (keshō) combines 化 (ka, "change") and 粧 (shō, "adornment"), linking the word to altering one's appearance.
Usage tips
- English distinguishes the noun makeup from the verb phrase make up, whereas Japanese commonly uses 化粧 (keshō) with する (suru) for the action.
Other meanings
- cosmeticsnoun
Related words
- 化粧するkeshōsuruput on makeupverb