伪装
wěizhuāng
The English word 'disguise' is translated into Chinese as 伪装 (wěizhuāng).
伪装 refers to attire to hide/assume an identity. While it can refer to a physical disguise (like a costume), it is also frequently used in a metaphorical sense to describe someone masking their true intentions or feelings.
Meaning: attire to hide/assume an identity (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 伪装 can function as both a noun (the disguise itself) and a verb (to disguise/to camouflage).
How do you pronounce it?
wěizhuāng
Did you know?
- While 伪装 describes the act of hiding, Chinese has a specific concept called 面子 or 'face' which governs why people use social disguises to avoid shame.
- In Chinese, 伪装 is the standard term for military camouflage, whereas English usually distinguishes between a personal 'disguise' and 'camouflage' used by an army.
- The character 伪 in 伪装 is the same character used to describe 'fake' or 'counterfeit' goods in a commercial context. This implies that a disguise is fundamentally seen as something false or non-authentic.
Examples in context
- 你不能指望他们认不出你的伪装。那个歪半边的一角店胡子是致命漏洞！You can't seriously expect that they won't recognize you in that disguise. That lopsided, dime store moustache is a dead giveaway!This sentence shows how someone might be recognized despite their 伪装.Tatoeba #5698046 by verdastelo9604, translation #605138 by darinmex
- 他通过伪装隐藏了自己的身份He concealed his identity through disguise.
- 他假扮成保安人员He disguised himself as a security guard.
- 他装成乞丐He disguised himself as a beggar.
- 她假装是个服务员She disguised herself as a waitress.
- 他用面具来伪装自己的面容。He used a mask to disguise his appearance.
- 他在晚会上假扮成一位富豪。He disguised himself as a wealthy person at the party.
- 他的伪装非常完美。Tā de wěizhuāng fēicháng wánměi.His disguise is perfect.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a character in a mystery movie.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那个特工的伪装很棒。Nàge tègōng de wěizhuāng hěn bàng.That agent's disguise is great.
- 伟 Wei是啊，连我都看不出来。Shì a, lián wǒ dōu kàn bù chūlái.Yeah, even I couldn't tell.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，你觉得他会被发现吗？Wěi, nǐ juéde tā huì bèi fāxiàn ma?Wei, do you think he will be discovered?
- 伟 Wei我觉得他能成功。Wǒ juéde tā néng chénggōng.I think he will succeed.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
