穿着 (chuān zhuó) is a verb meaning 'to wear'—specifically referring to wearing clothes, accessories, or footwear. It combines 穿 (chuān), which means 'to put on (clothing)' and carries the core action, with 着 (zhuó), an archaic or literary variant of 著 that reinforces the sense of 'being dressed in' or 'wearing'. Though the character 着 is commonly pronounced 'zhe' in modern spoken Chinese (e.g., in aspect markers), here it must be read as 'zhuó' to preserve the word’s meaning and pronunciation.

This term is more formal and written than everyday speech—frequently found in descriptions, fashion writing, official documents, or careful speech. It’s often used to describe someone’s overall attire or style (e.g., 'his clothing choices'), rather than simply stating what one is wearing at this moment. While colloquial Mandarin usually says 穿 (chuān) alone ('I’m wearing a shirt'), 穿着 adds nuance about appearance, appropriateness, or social impression.