white powder and black pigment for makeup; beautiful women
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
cosmetics; powder and black paint
literaryIn classical and literary contexts, specifically refers to the white powder and dark pigment used in traditional women's makeup. The phrase '不施粉黛' means to wear no makeup.
Tā她
tiān天
shēng生
lì丽
zhì质
，
bù不
shī施
fěn粉
dài黛
yě也
guāng光
cǎi彩
zhào照
rén人
。
She is naturally beautiful and radiant even without makeup.
Gǔ古
dài代
shì仕
nǚ女
huà画
zhōng中
，
rén人
wù物
de的
fěn粉
dài黛
zhuāng妆
róng容
shí十
fēn分
jīng精
zhì致
。
In ancient paintings of court ladies, the makeup applied with powder and pigment is very delicate.
noun
beautiful women; women
literaryA classical metonymy where the makeup (粉黛) stands for the women who wear it. Common in classical poetry and prose.
Liù六
gōng宫
fěn粉
dài黛
wú无
yán颜
sè色
。
The beauties of the six palaces paled in comparison. (This famous line describes a woman whose beauty outshines all others.)
Zhè这
bù部
xiǎo小
shuō说
miáo描
huì绘
le了
háo豪
mén门
shēn深
yuàn院
lǐ里
de的
fěn粉
dài黛
jiā佳
rén人
。
This novel depicts the beautiful women within the deep courtyards of wealthy families.