装修

• Pinyin: zhuāng xiū
• Hanzi breakdown: 装 = 衣 (clothing/to dress) + 壮 (strong), to fit out; 修 = 亻(person) + 彡 (decoration) + 攸, to repair/beautify

Meaning

To renovate; to decorate; to fit out. The process of improving the interior of a building through design, construction, and furnishing.

Commonly refers to interior renovation of homes or commercial spaces: 新房装修 (renovating a new flat), 装修风格 (decoration style), 装修公司 (renovation company). 装修 covers everything from painting walls to installing fixtures. A very common topic in everyday Chinese conversation.

Examples

1. 他们买了新房，正忙着讨论如何装修客厅和卧室。 They bought a new flat and are busy discussing how to renovate the living room and bedrooms.
2. 这家餐厅刚刚装修过，整体环境比以前好多了。 This restaurant has just been renovated — the overall atmosphere is much better than before.
3. 装修期间产生的噪音让邻居感到很烦恼。 The noise from the renovation caused a great deal of annoyance to the neighbours.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, real-estate, lifestyle

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们打算这个月开始装修新家，大概需要两个月完成。(We plan to start renovating our new home this month — it should take about two months to finish.)
• 这套房子装修得很有品位，让人一进门就觉得舒适。(This flat is decorated with great taste — you feel comfortable the moment you walk in.)

Don't Say

• 把'装修'用于室外建筑施工或主体结构工程 (Don't use 装修 for outdoor construction or structural building work — it specifically refers to interior finishing and decoration; use 建造 or 施工 for structural work)

Origin & History

From 装 (to fit out/install, 衣 clothing + 壮 strong — to dress up or kit out) and 修 (to repair/beautify, 亻person + 彡 decoration + 攸 handle), together meaning 'to fit out and beautify a space'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal