Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'painted eyebrows' is most commonly expressed with the noun 描き眉 (かきまゆ), referring to eyebrows drawn on with makeup, especially in traditional contexts. The verb phrase 眉を描く (まゆをえがく) means 'to draw/paint one's eyebrows'. For modern makeup, アイブロウ (eyebrow) is often used, and the act of filling in eyebrows is 眉を描く or アイブロウを描く.
The learner wants to refer to eyebrows that have been drawn or painted on, as a noun.
She is very good at drawing her eyebrows.
I am learning traditional painted eyebrow techniques.
Loanword from English 'eyebrow', commonly used in modern makeup contexts. Often refers to eyebrow makeup products or the styled eyebrows themselves.
I bought a new eyebrow product.
My eyebrow makeup came off.
The learner wants to express the action of applying makeup to the eyebrows.
The most direct verb phrase meaning 'to draw/paint one's eyebrows'. 描く (えがく) means 'to draw' or 'to paint'.
It takes time to draw my eyebrows every morning.
I'm not good at drawing my eyebrows.
A modern variation using the loanword アイブロウ. Commonly used when referring to eyebrow makeup products.
I forgot to fill in my eyebrows.
Literally 'to draw a line for the eyebrows', used in traditional makeup or when using an eyebrow pencil. Less common in casual speech.
The learner wants to refer specifically to the historical practice of painting eyebrows high on the forehead (hikimayu) or other traditional styles.
Refers to the Heian-period practice of shaving off natural eyebrows and painting new ones high on the forehead. A culturally specific term.
Hikimayu was popular among the nobility during the Heian period.
Another term for the high-painted eyebrows of court nobles, literally 'palace eyebrows'. Very specific to historical contexts.
描き眉 (かきまゆ) is a native Japanese word that can sound traditional or literary. アイブロウ is a modern loanword used in everyday makeup talk. For general 'painted eyebrows', 描き眉 is fine, but in a cosmetics context, アイブロウ is more common.
I'm researching the history of painted eyebrows.
This eyebrow makeup doesn't come off easily.
眉毛 (まゆげ) means 'eyebrow hair' or the natural eyebrow. 描き眉 specifically refers to drawn or painted eyebrows. Using 眉毛 when you mean painted eyebrows can cause confusion.
I have thick eyebrows (natural hair).
When I draw my eyebrows, I try to keep a natural shape.
Tenjōmayu reflects the aesthetic sense of that era.
The painted eyebrows are thick/dark.