Chinese word

装

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhuāng

Meaning

  • verbpretend

Example

他在装聪明，其实不会。tā zài zhuāng cōng míng qí shí bú huì

He pretends to be smart, but he actually does not know how to do it.

Illustration for 装 (pretend)

More examples

她在会议上装懂，结果被问住了。tā zài huì yì shàng zhuāng dǒng jié guǒ bèi wèn zhù le

She pretended to understand at the meeting, but then was stumped by a question.

Core concept

Putting on an outer appearance that may be clothing or a behavior, whether genuine or only presented as real.

Common phrases

  • 装作zhuāng zuò

    pretend

  • 装出笑容zhuāng chū xiào róng

    put on a smile

  • 装懂zhuāng dǒng

    pretend to understand

Similar words

假装jiǎ zhuāng: To act falsely so that one's true condition or feelings remain hidden.
装作zhuāng zuò: To intentionally show a certain behavior or state that is not genuine.
伪装wěi zhuāng: To disguise one's appearance or actions so that one's real identity or aim stays hidden.

Definition in Chinese

穿戴、打扮；引申为摆出某种样子以假饰真实，即假装。chuān dài dǎ bàn yǐn shēn wèi bǎi chū móu zhǒng yàng zi yǐ jiǎ shì zhēn shí jí jiǎ zhuāng

Word origin

装 (zhuāng, "to dress or pretend") began with putting on and arranging clothing, and this physical act developed into presenting an outer role that does not match reality.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English "wear," this verb can describe an adopted attitude or role as well as clothes, making it useful for spotting when Chinese talks about appearance rather than actual ability.

Other meanings

  • fakeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word