apply makeup; whitewash
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to apply rouge and face powder; to paint and powder; to dress up (said of women)
Originally described women's makeup; still commonly used in this literal sense.
Tā她
měi每
tiān天
zǎo早
shang上
dōu都
yào要
huā花
yī一
gè个
xiǎo小
shí时
tú涂
zhī脂
mǒ抹
fěn粉
。
She spends an hour every morning applying makeup.
Xì戏
qǔ曲
yǎn演
yuán员
shàng上
tái台
qián前
bì必
xū须
zǐ仔
xì细
tú涂
zhī脂
mǒ抹
fěn粉
。
Opera performers must carefully apply makeup before going on stage.
verb
to whitewash; to prettify; to gloss over (ugly things); to camouflage
derogatoryDerogatory or critical tone; implies deliberate concealment of flaws or wrongdoing.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
bào报
dào道
bù不
guò过
shì是
wèi为
fǔ腐
bài败
xíng行
wéi为
tú涂
zhī脂
mǒ抹
fěn粉
。
This kind of reporting is nothing but whitewashing corrupt behavior.
Lì历
shǐ史
bù不
róng容
tú涂
zhī脂
mǒ抹
fěn粉
，
zhēn真
xiàng相
zhōng终
jiāng将
dà大
bái白
。
History cannot be whitewashed; the truth will eventually come to light.
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Bù不
yào要
wèi为
le了
miàn面
zi子
gěi给
cuò错
wù误
tú涂
zhī脂
mǒ抹
fěn粉
。
Don't gloss over mistakes just to save face.