Definition
红粉 (gōng fěn) is a classical Chinese compound meaning 'rouge and powder', which historically referred to women's cosmetics and, by extension, to women themselves (the fair sex). It appears mainly in literary or historical contexts, not in everyday conversation. The reading gōng for the first character is a specialized, archaic pronunciation, distinct from the common hóng (red).
n.
rouge and powder (cosmetics)(literary) womenthe fair sex
Examples
- 红粉。Gǔdài nǚzǐ cháng yòng gōng huàzhuāng.Ancient women often used rouge and powder to apply makeup.
- 红粉。Zhè shǒu shī miáoxiě le gōng jiārén de měilì.This poem depicts the beauty of a woman adorned with rouge and powder.
- 红粉，。gōng zhī fěn, zìgǔ biàn shì nǚzǐ zhuāngshì zhī wù.Rouge and powder have been women's adornments since ancient times.
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