‘装扮’ is a verb meaning ‘to dress up’ or ‘to disguise oneself’, often with intention, creativity, or for a specific purpose—such as for a festival, performance, or role-play. The first character 装 (zhuāng) means ‘to dress’, ‘to equip’, or ‘to pretend’, while 扮 (bàn) means ‘to assume a role’ or ‘to impersonate’. Together, they emphasize both outward appearance and performative identity—not just wearing clothes, but adopting an image or persona.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving costume, theatrical preparation, themed parties, or even playful self-expression (e.g., dressing up pets or children). It carries a neutral-to-positive connotation and implies conscious effort and aesthetic intent. Unlike the more casual ‘穿 (chuān)’ (to wear), 装扮 focuses on transformation and presentation, and unlike ‘伪装 (wěizhuāng)’, it rarely implies deception for harmful purposes—it’s more about fun, celebration, or artistic expression.