How to say "make-up" in Japanese

• メイクCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA common abbreviation of メイクアップ for cosmetic make-up on the face; this is the word for everyday talk about putting on, touching up or removing make-up.
• 化粧けしょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe native word for make-up: the act of applying cosmetics to the face and the made-up look itself; it also covers cosmetics. It carries a more traditional nuance than the loanword メイク.
  こってり化粧けしょうした顔かおは異様いようである。↗

  A face with too much make up looks strange.
• メイクアップCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe full loanword form; it refers to the same cosmetic make-up on the face as メイク, which is simply its abbreviation, so the two are largely interchangeable in most contexts.
  彼女かのじょはメーキャップを落おとしているところですよ。↗

  She's cleaning off the make-up.
• 体質たいしつCommon
  nounNot about cosmetics: 体質 is the figurative make-up of a person — their innate characteristics or constitution — or the character of a group or organization. It is never the word for cosmetic make-up.

For cosmetic make-up on the face use 「メイク」, its full form 「メイクアップ」, or the native 化粧, which also means cosmetics; 体質 is only the figurative sense — the innate make-up or character of a person or organization.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• メイクmake-up
• 化粧けしょうmake-up
• メイクアップmake-up
• 扮装ふんそうmake-up
• 大組みおおぐみmake-up (of a newspaper)
• 再試験さいしけんreexamination
• 布局ふきょくcomposition
• 体質たいしつcharacter (of a group, organization, etc.)
• お作りおつくりmake-up