红润

• Pinyin: hóng rùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 红 = 纟+ 工; 润 = 氵(water radical) + 闰 (phonetic) — moistening, lustre

Meaning

Ruddy; rosy and healthy-looking. Describes a face or complexion that is glowing with health and natural redness.

Used to describe a person's complexion or cheeks that look healthy, well-nourished, and full of vitality. Often contrasted with 苍白 (pale) to indicate recovery of health or good physical condition. Common in medical, literary, and everyday descriptive contexts.

Examples

1. 经过三个月的休养，她的气色大为改观，脸上重新泛出了久违的红润光泽，令家人十分欣慰。 After three months of rest and recovery, her complexion improved greatly, and a long-missed healthy glow returned to her face, much to her family’s relief.
2. 老人虽已年近八旬，却依然面色红润，精神矍铄，令邻里们啧啧称奇。 Though the old man is nearly eighty, he still has a rosy complexion and looks vigorous, amazing the neighbors.
3. 医生检查后告诉家属，患者的嘴唇已从之前的发紫恢复为正常的红润状态，这是一个积极的康复信号。 After the exam, the doctor told the family that the patient’s lips had returned from a purplish color to a normal healthy red, a positive sign of recovery.

Usage Guide

Context: health, medical, description, literature

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 运动之后，她的双颊泛起红润的光泽，整个人看起来充满了朝气与活力，与以往的憔悴判若两人。(After exercising, her cheeks took on a rosy glow and she looked full of vigour — a complete contrast to her previously haggard appearance.)
• 婴儿出生时皮肤红润，哭声响亮，在场的医护人员都感到十分欣慰。(The baby was born with a rosy complexion and a lusty cry, much to the relief of all the medical staff present.)

Don't Say

• 红润 for objects or non-human things — it is specific to human skin and complexion; use 鲜红 or 红艳 for food, flowers, or other objects

Origin & History

红 (red; rosy) + 润 (moist; lustrous) — a complexion that is both rosy and glowing with moisture, signifying health

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal