涂抹

塗抹

túmǒ

verb #26,773

Meanings

1 to smear
2 to apply (makeup, cream, etc.)
3 to doodle
4 to scribble
5 to erase or obliterate

Characters

to smear; to coat; to spread

to wipe; to apply; to erase

Examples

HSK 3

孩子在墙上乱涂抹，弄脏了整面墙。

Háizi zài qiángshang luàn túmǒ, nòng zāng le zhěng miàn qiáng.

The child scribbled all over the wall, dirtying the whole surface.

HSK 7-9

她在脸上涂抹防晒霜。

Tā zài liǎnshang túmǒ fángshàishuāng.

She applied sunscreen to her face.

Tips

usage

涂抹 can mean applying something (sunscreen, paint, butter) or doodling/scribbling. Context makes the meaning clear. For deliberate art, 绘画 or 涂色 are more appropriate.

Stroke Order

涂 tú

抹 mǒ