套裝 / 套装
tàozhuāng
In Chinese, the word for "suit" can be expressed as 套裝 / 套装 (tàozhuāng) or 西裝 / 西装.
Meaning: set of clothes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 套裝 / 套装 | tàozhuāng |
| 西裝 / 西装 | xīzhuāng |
The term 套裝 / 套装 is a general way to describe any set of matching clothes. However, if you are specifically referring to a Western-style suit consisting of a jacket and trousers, you should use 西裝 / 西装. Note that the term 西服 is sometimes used interchangeably with 西裝.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 套裝 / 套装 is composed of 套 (set/case) and 装 (clothing/outfit). The word 西裝 / 西装 is composed of 西 (West) and 装 (clothing/outfit).
Which one should you use?
While 套裝 / 套装 refers to any set of matching clothes, 西裝 / 西装 is more specific and refers specifically to a Western-style suit.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term for suit is 西裝.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The related verb 適合 / 适合 can be used to express the action of being appropriate or apt for something.
How do you pronounce it?
tàozhuāng
Did you know?
- In modern business culture, wearing a 西裝 is often a requirement for 'face' 面子, where the clothing signals social status and respect rather than just professionalism.
- The character 裝 can also mean 'to load' or 'to install'. This creates a linguistic link between dressing in a suit and 'equipping' oneself for a role.
- The word 套 in 套裝 is also used for things like a 'case' or a 'cover'. This suggests the outfit is like a protective or matching shell for the body.
Examples in context
- 他穿着一套漂亮的西装出席宴会。He wore a handsome suit to the banquet.
- 她穿了一套时尚的女士套装去参加派对。She wore a stylish women's suit to the party.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suit” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
