jiǎzhuāng: 假装 - To Pretend, To Feign, To Make Believe
Quick Summary
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Summary: Learn how to use the common Chinese verb 假装 (jiǎzhuāng), meaning “to pretend,” “to feign,” or “to make believe.” This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in saving face, and practical daily use. Whether you're describing a child's game, a white lie told for social harmony, or feigning sleep to avoid a conversation, understanding 假装 (jiǎzhuāng) is key to navigating nuanced Chinese social interactions.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǎzhuāng
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To act as if something is true when it is not; to feign an emotion, state, or intention.
In a Nutshell:假装 (jiǎzhuāng) is the go-to word for “pretending.” It covers everything from a child playing make-believe to an adult feigning surprise or pretending not to notice an awkward situation. It's about putting on a different “face” or behavior, whether for fun, politeness, or deception.
Character Breakdown
假 (jiǎ): This character's primary meaning is “fake,” “false,” or “pseudo-.” Think of it as the opposite of 真 (zhēn - real, true).
装 (zhuāng): This character can mean “to install” or “to pack,” but here it carries the meaning of “to dress up,” “to adorn,” or “to act a part.”
When combined, 假装 (jiǎzhuāng) literally means “to put on a fake act” or “to falsely dress up (one's behavior),” which perfectly captures the idea of pretending.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Role of “Face” (面子 - miànzi):假装 (jiǎzhuāng) is often used as a tool to give or save face. For example, if a friend makes an embarrassing mistake in public, you might 假装 you didn't see it (假装没看见 - jiǎzhuāng méi kànjiàn). This act of “pretending” isn't seen as dishonest but as a socially graceful way to prevent your friend from losing face and maintaining harmony in the group.
Harmony over Directness: Compared to many Western cultures that value directness and “brutal honesty,” traditional Chinese culture often prioritizes social harmony (和谐 - héxié). 假装 can be a social lubricant. One might 假装 to agree with a superior's bad idea to avoid conflict in the moment, or 假装 not to be busy when a friend asks for a favor. While this can seem indirect to a foreigner, it's often rooted in a desire to maintain positive relationships.
Playfulness vs. Deception: The context of 假装 is everything. With children, it's universally understood as playful “make-believe.” Between adults, it can range from polite social fiction (pretending you love a gift you don't) to more serious deception (pretending to be loyal to a company you plan to leave). The key is to understand the underlying intention.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Informal & Everyday:假装 is a very common word used in daily conversation among friends, family, and colleagues.
Playful Banter: Friends might accuse each other of pretending in a joking way. “别假装了，我知道你偷吃了我的零食！” (Bié jiǎzhuāng le, wǒ zhīdào nǐ tōuchī le wǒ de língshí!) - “Stop pretending, I know you secretly ate my snacks!”
Avoiding Situations: It's frequently used to describe avoiding something or someone. A common example is pretending to be on the phone or asleep to avoid an awkward encounter.
Social Media: The term can be used to critique people who 假装 having a perfect or wealthy life online, similar to the English concept of “flexing for the 'gram.”
Connotation: The word itself is neutral. Its connotation (positive, negative, or neutral) is determined entirely by the context and the speaker's tone.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
孩子们喜欢假装是超人。
Pinyin: Háizi men xǐhuān jiǎzhuāng shì chāorén.
English: Children like to pretend to be Superman.
Analysis: This is the most straightforward, playful use of the word, equivalent to “make-believe.” The context is innocent and positive.
Example 2:
他假装睡着了，因为他不想和我说话。
Pinyin: Tā jiǎzhuāng shuìzháo le, yīnwèi tā bùxiǎng hé wǒ shuōhuà.
English: He pretended to be asleep because he didn't want to talk to me.
Analysis: A classic example of using pretence to avoid a social interaction. The connotation here is slightly negative and shows passive avoidance.
English: In meetings, even if I don't understand, sometimes I have to pretend that I do.
Analysis: This links directly to the cultural concept of saving face (面子). Admitting a lack of understanding might cause one to lose face, so pretending is a common strategy.
English: You can't pretend to be happy forever; you need to face your problems.
Analysis: This shows 假装 in the context of emotional health, implying that it can be a form of denial that is ultimately unhelpful.
Example 10:
那个骗子假装成警察，骗走了老人的钱。
Pinyin: Nàge piànzi jiǎzhuāng chéng jǐngchá, piàn zǒu le lǎorén de qián.
English: That swindler pretended to be a police officer and scammed the old man out of his money.
Analysis: This is a very strong, negative use. Here, 假装成 (jiǎzhuāng chéng) means “to pretend to be” or “to impersonate,” and it's linked to criminal deception.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`假装 (jiǎzhuāng)` vs. `表演 (biǎoyǎn)`: A common mistake is to use 假装 for professional acting. 假装 is about feigning a state or emotion in real life. `表演 (biǎoyǎn)` means “to perform” or “to act” in a formal capacity, like in a movie or play.
Correct: 那个演员表演得很好。 (Nàge yǎnyuán biǎoyǎn de hěn hǎo.) - That actor performs very well.
Incorrect: 那个演员假装得很好。 (This sounds like the actor is faking something in their real life, not performing a role).
`假装 (jiǎzhuāng)` vs. `装 (zhuāng)`: In colloquial speech, the character `装 (zhuāng)` is often used by itself as a shorter, more forceful, and often more critical version of 假装.
Example: `别装了！ (Bié zhuāng le!)` - “Stop faking it!” or “Cut the act!” This is much more direct and common in informal arguments than `别假装了！`.
False Friend: “Pretentious”: While someone who is “pretentious” definitely `假装`s a lot, 假装 is the *verb* for the action of pretending. The *adjective* “pretentious” or “artificial” is better translated as `做作 (zuòzuo)`.
Example: 他说话很做作。(Tā shuōhuà hěn zuòzuo.) - He speaks in a very pretentious/artificial way.
Related Terms and Concepts
装 (zhuāng) - A shorter, more colloquial, and often more critical verb for “to pretend” or “to fake it.”
表演 (biǎoyǎn) - To perform, to act (as in a play or film). The professional or artistic form of pretending.
伪装 (wěizhuāng) - To disguise or camouflage. More formal than 假装 and often used in contexts of military, espionage, or nature.
冒充 (màochōng) - To impersonate, to pose as someone else, usually with fraudulent or malicious intent. It's a stronger and more negative word than 假装.
做作 (zuòzuo) - (Adjective) Pretentious, artificial. Describes the quality of a person or behavior that seems fake or unnatural.
虚伪 (xūwěi) - (Adjective) Hypocritical, disingenuous. A strong moral judgment on a person's character, implying they regularly 假装 for selfish reasons.
面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social dignity and reputation. Often the core reason why someone might feel the need to 假装.