Chinese word

涂抹

Pronunciation

Pinyintú mǒ

Meaning

  • verbapply

Example

请把药膏涂抹在伤口上。qǐng bǎ yào gāo tú mǒ zài shāng kǒu shàng

Please apply the ointment to the wound.

Illustration for 涂抹 (apply)

More examples

外出前请在脸上涂抹防晒霜。wài chū qián qǐng zài liǎn shàng tú mǒ fáng shài shuāng

Before going out, please apply sunscreen to your face.

Core concept

A small amount of wet or creamy material is spread across a surface until it covers the spot.

Common phrases

  • 涂抹防晒霜tú mǒ fáng shài shuāng

    apply sunscreen

  • 涂抹手霜tú mǒ shǒu shuāng

    apply hand cream

Similar words

涂tú: Spread a liquid or cream over a surface in an even layer.
抹mǒ: Smear a substance on a surface by rubbing it across with a finger or cloth.
擦cā: Rub medicine onto the skin so it spreads over the area.

Definition in Chinese

把膏状或液体的物质用手或工具涂到物体表面并抹匀，通常指小范围的涂敷动作。bǎ gāo zhuàng huò yè tǐ de wù zhì yòng shǒu huò gōng jù tú dào wù tǐ biǎo miàn bìng mǒ yún tōng cháng zhǐ xiǎo fàn wéi de tú fū dòng zuò

Word origin

涂 (tú, "spread or apply") + 抹 (mǒ, "rub across") combines applying a substance with smoothing it over a surface.

Usage tips

  • This verb suits careful descriptions of putting medicine, cream, or another substance on a small area, especially in written or careful speech.

Other meanings

  • smearverb

Opposites

  • 擦掉cā diàowipe offverb
  • 洗掉xǐ diàowash offverb

Word lists with this word