口紅

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 口紅 is read as くちべに and means lipstick, a cosmetic used to color the lips.
• Basic usage: It can be the cosmetic being applied or the source of a mark left on a cup.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Applying the cosmetic
  • 口紅を塗る means applying lipstick to the lips. Example: 鏡を見ながら薄い色の口紅を塗った。
• A trace left behind
  • 口紅の跡 is not the lipstick itself but a mark it has left on another surface. Example: 白いカップの縁に口紅の跡が残っていた。