Appearance Vocabulary in Chinese

Enhance your descriptive skills with Appearance Vocabulary in Chinese. This collection includes essential terms for physical features, height, build, hair, clothing, and overall looks. 

Describing appearance is essential in daily conversations, especially when talking about people, fashion, or style. Through GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition system, you’ll reinforce each new word at the perfect moment, strengthening long-term memory and making vocabulary recall effortless.

Below is a preview set of Appearance-related vocabulary, carefully selected from GuruLango’s extensive 5000-word database.

1. Appearance - Basic Descriptions of How Someone Looks

These words help you describe someone’s overall appearance in simple, natural Chinese.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

外貌 (noun)

wàimào

Appearance

样子 (noun)

yàngzi

Look / Appearance

长相 (noun)

zhǎngxiàng

Facial appearance

身材 (noun)

shēncái

Figure

气质 (noun)

qìzhì

Aura / Temperament

漂亮 (adj.)

piàoliang

Beautiful

帅 (adj.)

shuài

Handsome

可爱 (adj.)

kě’ài

Cute

时尚 (adj.)

shíshàng

Fashionable

普通 (adj.)

pǔtōng

Average-looking

整洁 (adj.)

zhěngjié

Neat / Tidy

邋遢 (adj.)

lātā

Messy / Untidy

2. Build - Body Shape and Physical Form

These terms help you talk about someone’s body type or physique naturally.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

瘦 (adj.)

shòu

Thin

胖 (adj.)

pàng

Fat

强壮 (adj.)

qiángzhuàng

Strong

苗条 (adj.)

miáotiáo

Slim

健美 (adj.)

jiànměi

Fit

结实 (adj.)

jiēshi

Muscular / Well-built

高 (adj.)

gāo

Tall

矮 (adj.)

ǎi

Short

中等身材 (phrase)

zhōngděng shēncái

Average build

匀称 (adj.)

yúnchèn

Well-proportioned

丰满 (adj.)

fēngmǎn

Curvy / Full-figured

精瘦 (adj.)

jīngshòu

Lean

3. Age - Talking About How Old Someone Is

Use these words to describe age ranges politely and naturally in Chinese.

Vocabulary 

Pinyin

English Meaning

年龄 (noun)

niánlíng

Age

年轻 (adj.)

niánqīng

Young

中年 (noun)

zhōngnián

Middle-aged

老年 (noun)

lǎonián

Elderly

成年人 (noun)

chéngniánrén

Adult

青少年 (noun)

qīngshàonián

Teenager

儿童 (noun)

értóng

Child

婴儿 (noun)

yīng’ér

Baby

大约…岁 (phrase)

dàyuē…suì

About … years old

小孩 (noun)

xiǎohái

Kid

老人 (noun)

lǎorén

Senior

4. Hair - Describing Hair Type, Color, and Style

Learn how to describe someone’s hair in detail using natural Chinese vocabulary.

Vocabulary 

Pinyin

English Meaning

头发 (noun)

tóufa

Hair

短发 (noun)

duǎnfà

Short hair

长发 (noun)

chángfà

Long hair

卷发 (noun)

juǎnfà

Curly hair

直发 (noun)

zhífà

Straight hair

黑发 (noun)

hēifà

Black hair

金发 (noun)

jīnfà

Blonde hair

棕发 (noun)

zōngfà

Brown hair

发型 (noun)

fàxíng

Hairstyle

刘海 (noun)

liúhǎi

Bangs

编发 (noun)

biānfà

Braided hair

染发 (verb)

rǎnfà

Dye hair

5. Skin - Skin Color, Texture, and Condition

These words help you describe different skin tones and skin features accurately.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

皮肤 (noun)

pífū

Skin

白皙 (adj.)

báixī

Fair-skinned

古铜色 (adj.)

gǔtóngsè

Tan / Bronze

黑皮肤 (adj.)

hēi pífū

Dark-skinned

光滑 (adj.)

guānghuá

Smooth

粗糙 (adj.)

cūcāo

Rough

皱纹 (noun)

zhòuwén

Wrinkles

痘痘 (noun)

dòudòu

Acne

毛孔 (noun)

máokǒng

Pores

红润 (adj.)

hóngrùn

Rosy

暗沉 (adj.)

ànchén

Dull skin

敏感肌 (noun)

mǐngǎn jī

Sensitive skin

6. Cosmetics - Makeup and Beauty Products

Talk about makeup routines and beauty items using these common Chinese words.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

化妆 (verb)

huàzhuāng

Apply makeup

口红 (noun)

kǒuhóng

Lipstick

粉底 (noun)

fěndǐ

Foundation

睫毛膏 (noun)

jiémáogāo

Mascara

腮红 (noun)

sāihóng

Blush

眼影 (noun)

yǎnyǐng

Eyeshadow

定妆粉 (noun)

dìngzhuāngfěn

Setting powder

香水 (noun)

xiāngshuǐ

Perfume

卸妆 (verb)

xièzhuāng

Remove makeup

底妆 (noun)

dǐzhuāng

Base makeup

妆容 (noun)

zhuāngróng

Makeup look

7. Color - Shades and Common Color Terms

Use these essential color words to describe clothing, items, or appearance.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

颜色 (noun)

yánsè

Color

红色 (noun)

hóngsè

Red

蓝色 (noun)

lánsè

Blue

绿色 (noun)

lǜsè

Green

黄色 (noun)

huángsè

Yellow

白色 (noun)

báisè

White

黑色 (noun)

hēisè

Black

粉色 (noun)

fěnsè

Pink

棕色 (noun)

zōngsè

Brown

紫色 (noun)

zǐsè

Purple

灰色 (noun)

huīsè

Gray

橙色 (noun)

chéngsè

Orange

8. Face - Facial Features and Characteristics

These words allow you to describe the face and its features in detail.

Vocabulary 

Pinyin

English Meaning

脸 (noun)

liǎn

Face

眼睛 (noun)

yǎnjing

Eyes

鼻子 (noun)

bízi

Nose

嘴巴 (noun)

zuǐba

Mouth

耳朵 (noun)

ěrduo

Ears

下巴 (noun)

xiàba

Chin

眉毛 (noun)

méimáo

Eyebrows

额头 (noun)

étóu

Forehead

牙齿 (noun)

yáchǐ

Teeth

脸颊 (noun)

liǎnjiá

Cheeks

皮肤纹理 (noun)

pífū wénlǐ

Skin texture

双眼皮 (noun)

shuāngyǎnpí

Double eyelids

9. Clothes - Clothing Items and Garments

Use these words to describe outfits and everyday clothing pieces.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

衣服 (noun)

yīfu

Clothes

外套 (noun)

wàitào

Coat / Jacket

T恤 (noun)

tīxù

T-shirt

衬衫 (noun)

chènshān

Shirt

连衣裙 (noun)

liányīqún

Dress

裙子 (noun)

qúnzi

Skirt

裤子 (noun)

kùzi

Pants

牛仔裤 (noun)

niúzǎikù

Jeans

毛衣 (noun)

máoyī

Sweater

西装 (noun)

xīzhuāng

Suit

风衣 (noun)

fēngyī

Trench coat

短裤 (noun)

duǎnkù

Shorts

10. Footwear - Shoes and Footwear Styles

These terms help you describe different shoes and how people wear them.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

鞋子 (noun)

xiézi

Shoes

运动鞋 (noun)

yùndòngxié

Sneakers

高跟鞋 (noun)

gāogēnxié

High heels

靴子 (noun)

xuēzi

Boots

凉鞋 (noun)

liángxié

Sandals

拖鞋 (noun)

tuōxié

Slippers

平底鞋 (noun)

píngdǐxié

Flats

登山鞋 (noun)

dēngshānxié

Hiking shoes

皮鞋 (noun)

píxié

Leather shoes

帆布鞋 (noun)

fānbùxié

Canvas shoes

雨鞋 (noun)

yǔxié

Rain boots

11. Accessory - Additional Items Worn for Style

Use these accessory words to describe add-ons that complete an outfit.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

配件 (noun)

pèijiàn

Accessory

帽子 (noun)

màozi

Hat

围巾 (noun)

wéijīn

Scarf

手套 (noun)

shǒutào

Gloves

皮带 (noun)

pídài

Belt

太阳镜 (noun)

tàiyángjìng

Sunglasses

手表 (noun)

shǒubiǎo

Watch

发夹 (noun)

fàjiá

Hairpin

背包 (noun)

bēibāo

Backpack

钱包 (noun)

qiánbāo

Wallet

雨伞 (noun)

yǔsǎn

Umbrella

12. Jewelry - Ornaments and Decorative Items

These words help you talk about the jewelry people wear.

Vocabulary 

Pinyin

English Meaning

首饰 (noun)

shǒushì

Jewelry

项链 (noun)

xiàngliàn

Necklace

戒指 (noun)

jièzhi

Ring

耳环 (noun)

ěrhuán

Earrings

手镯 (noun)

shǒuzhuó

Bracelet

手链 (noun)

shǒuliàn

Wrist chain

胸针 (noun)

xiōngzhēn

Brooch

珍珠 (noun)

zhēnzhū

Pearl

钻石 (noun)

zuànshí

Diamond

玉石 (noun)

yùshí

Jade

金饰 (noun)

jīnshì

Gold jewelry

13. Material & Pattern - Fabrics and Design Styles

These terms describe the materials and patterns commonly used in clothing.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

棉 (noun)

mián

Cotton

丝绸 (noun)

sīchóu

Silk

皮革 (noun)

pígé

Leather

羊毛 (noun)

yángmáo

Wool

牛仔布 (noun)

niúzǎibù

Denim

花纹 (noun)

huāwén

Pattern

条纹 (noun)

tiáowén

Stripes

点点 (noun)

diǎndiǎn

Polka dot

格子 (noun)

gézi

Plaid

蕾丝 (noun)

lěisī

Lace

雪纺 (noun)

xuěfǎng

Chiffon

绒布 (noun)

róngbù

Velvet

14. Shape - Forms and Visual Characteristics

These words help you describe shapes and forms commonly used for objects and fashion.

Vocabulary

Pinyin

English Meaning

形状 (noun)

xíngzhuàng

Shape

圆形 (noun)

yuánxíng

Circle

方形 (noun)

fāngxíng

Square

长方形 (noun)

chángfāngxíng

Rectangle

三角形 (noun)

sānjiǎoxíng

Triangle

椭圆形 (noun)

tuǒyuánxíng

Oval

曲线 (noun)

qūxiàn

Curve

直线 (noun)

zhíxiàn

Straight line

对称 (adj.)

duìchèn

Symmetrical

不规则 (adj.)

bù guīzé

Irregular

圆润 (adj.)

yuánrùn

Rounded

These fourteen appearance-focused vocabulary sets help you confidently describe people, style, clothing, and physical traits in Chinese. With GuruLango’s Spaced Repetition system, you’ll build a strong, lasting vocabulary foundation for real-life communication.

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