cosmetic
cosmetic — 名詞
1. Products such as lipstick, face powder, or cream that people put on their skin,
化妝品
用於修飾臉部或身體外觀的產品
Products such as lipstick, face powder, or cream that people put on their skin, lips, or nails to clean them, make them look more attractive, or change the way they smell.
Sivan keeps her cosmetics in a small bag next to the mirror.
Sivan 把她的化妝品放在鏡子旁的一個小袋子裡。
collocation: keep + cosmetics + in [container]
The shop sells cosmetics made from natural ingredients such as olive oil and honey.
這家店銷售以橄欖油和蜂蜜等天然成分製成的化妝品。
postmodifier: cosmetics made from [ingredients]
Sayaka does not wear cosmetics every day, only on special occasions.
Sayaka 不是每天都會化妝，只有在特殊場合才用。
Many cosmetics contain chemicals that can cause skin reactions in some people.
許多化妝品含有化學物質，可能導致某些人出現皮膚過敏反應。
Haruto bought his mother a set of high-quality cosmetics for her birthday.
Haruto 買了一組高品質的化妝品送給母親作為生日禮物。
- makeup
Narrower — refers specifically to coloured products like lipstick and foundation, while 'cosmetics' can also include skincare and fragrances.
- beauty products
Broader — includes cosmetics plus haircare, skincare, and fragrances.
- skincare products
More specific — focuses on products that improve skin condition rather than purely appearance.
文法句型
cosmetic + verb
wear/carry/use + cosmetics
常見錯誤
cosmetic — 形容詞
1. Describing a change or action that affects only how something appears on the sur
表面修飾的
僅做表面更動而未解決根本問題的
Describing a change or action that affects only how something appears on the surface, without solving the real problem that lies beneath.
The company made cosmetic changes to the report without fixing the real mistakes.
公司只對報告做了表面修改，並未修正真正的錯誤。
pattern: only cosmetic changes + did not fix [real problem]
Critics said the bridge repairs were purely cosmetic and did not improve safety.
批評者指出，這座橋的維修純屬表面功夫，並未提高安全性。
The new policy was little more than a cosmetic exercise to calm public anger.
這項新政僅是一場用來平息民怨的表面作法。
Vikram described the redesign as a cosmetic improvement that hid deeper problems.
Vikram 形容這次重新設計只是表面的改善，隱藏了更深層的問題。
Beatrix felt that the interview process was mostly cosmetic, with the decision already made.
Beatrix 覺得面試流程大部分是走形式，因為決定早就做好了。
- superficial
Stronger negative connotation; suggests the change is meaningless or deceptive.
- surface-level
Less formal and slightly milder; often used in everyday speech.
- token
Suggests the change is minimal and is intended only to avoid real action.
- substantive
Refers to changes that are meaningful and address the real issue.
- fundamental
Describes changes that affect the core or foundation of something.
文法句型
cosmetic + [noun: change/measure/reform]
用法筆記
Frequently paired with nouns like 'change', 'reform', 'measure', or 'exercise' to show that an action is done for appearance rather than substance. Distinguish from adj sense 2, which refers to treatments or products that actually improve physical appearance.
常見錯誤
2. Relating to treatments, products, or medical procedures whose purpose is to make
美容的
用於改善外表或使容貌更吸引人的
Relating to treatments, products, or medical procedures whose purpose is to make someone look more attractive by changing or improving their appearance.
Tunde visited a clinic to ask about cosmetic treatments for his scar.
Tunde 去了一間診所，諮詢去除疤痕的美容療程。
collocation: cosmetic treatment for [condition]
The range of cosmetic products now includes creams, lotions, and facial masks.
美容產品的範圍現在包括了乳霜、乳液和面膜。
Demand for cosmetic surgery has grown around the world.
全球對美容手術的需求正在增加。
Some cosmetic procedures, like teeth whitening, are now available at many dental clinics.
有些美容療程，例如牙齒美白，現在許多牙科診所都有提供。
Marta prefers cosmetic products that are free from artificial fragrances.
Marta 偏愛不含人工香精的美容產品。
- beautifying
Describes the process of making something beautiful; slightly less common in everyday use.
- aesthetic
Broader — relates to beauty or visual appeal in general, not limited to personal appearance.
- beauty
Used attributively as in 'beauty product' or 'beauty treatment'; equally common and natural.
- functional
Describes something that serves a practical purpose rather than an aesthetic one.
- medical
Refers to treatments for health reasons rather than appearance.
文法句型
cosmetic + [noun: product/surgery/treatment/cream]
用法筆記
Typically appears before nouns such as 'product', 'treatment', 'surgery', 'procedure', or 'cream'. Distinguish from adj sense 1, which describes changes that are merely about appearances without real substance.