verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 偽裝
wěi zhuāng
to disguise · to camouflage · to pretend · disguise · camouflage

Meaning

伪装 means to deliberately conceal one's true identity, appearance, or intentions by adopting a false exterior. It can refer to physical disguise (like military camouflage or wearing a costume) or metaphorical concealment (like pretending to have different emotions or intentions). The word carries a sense of deception or strategic hiding.

Usage

伪装 is commonly used in military contexts (camouflage), espionage scenarios, and when describing someone hiding their true feelings or identity. It has a neutral to slightly negative connotation, as it implies deliberate deception. Often appears in phrases like 伪装成 (disguise oneself as) or 伪装自己 (disguise oneself).

Examples

  1. 01
    士兵们用树枝和泥土伪装了坦克。
    Shì bīng men yòng shù zhī wěi zhuāng le tǎn .
    The soldiers camouflaged the tank with branches and mud.
  2. 02
    伪装成服务员混进了那栋大楼。
    wěi zhuāng chéng yuán hùn jìn le dòng lóu.
    He disguised himself as a waiter and sneaked into that building.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 伪装
    wěi zhuāng chéng
    to disguise oneself as
  • 伪装自己
    wěi zhuāng
    to disguise oneself
  • 军事伪装
    jūn shì wěi zhuāng
    military camouflage
  • 伪装
    wěi zhuāng
    camouflage color

Antonyms

Origin

伪 originally meant 'false' or 'counterfeit,' while 装 means 'to dress' or 'to pack.' Together they literally mean 'to dress falsely,' creating the sense of putting on a false appearance or disguise.

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