唇 (chún) - lip & edge

唇Tone 2

chún ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

唇 · chún

lip;

edge;

rim;

used metaphorically for speech or expression.

lipedgerim

Usage highlights

lipslipsticklip balmlip readinglip serviceupper lip

Synonyms

  • 嘴— mouth (broader term encompassing lips)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Her lips (嘴唇) were chapped from the cold.
  • He bit his lip (咬唇) nervously.
  • Lipstick (唇膏) is applied to the lips.
  • The cup's rim (杯唇) was chipped.

Collocations

  • lips(嘴唇)
  • lipstick(唇膏)
  • lip balm(唇油)
  • lip reading(唇读)
  • lip service(口头应酬)
  • upper lip(上唇)

Idioms

  • Lips and teeth相依 (唇齿相依) — interdependence as close as lips and teeth.
  • Lips gone, teeth cold (唇亡齿寒) — shared fate; if one falls, the other is in danger.
  • Lips red, teeth white (唇红齿白) — describing a person's good looks.
  • To argue till one's lips are dry and tongue is parched (唇焦舌敝) — to argue strenuously.

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, the condition of the lips is thought to reflect the health of the spleen and stomach.
  • The idiom '唇亡齿寒' is a classic metaphor from ancient Chinese strategic thought, emphasizing mutual dependence.
  • In physiognomy, well-defined lips are sometimes associated with eloquence and fortune.

FAQ