时装

• Pinyin: shí zhuāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 时 = time, current; 装 = clothing, dress — fashionable clothing

Meaning

Fashion; fashionable clothing; haute couture. Clothing that follows current trends and styles.

Refers specifically to trendy, stylish clothing as opposed to everyday or traditional wear. Commonly used in fashion industry contexts: 时装周 (fashion week), 时装秀 (fashion show), 时装设计 (fashion design). Implies contemporary style and often luxury or designer brands.

Examples

1. 巴黎时装周汇聚了全球顶尖设计师。 Paris Fashion Week brings together the world's top designers.
2. 她从小就梦想成为一名时装设计师。 She has dreamed of becoming a fashion designer since childhood.
3. 这本杂志专门介绍最新的时装潮流。 This magazine specializes in introducing the latest fashion trends.

Usage Guide

Context: fashion, media, retail

Tone: stylish

Do Say

• 米兰时装周刚刚结束。(Milan Fashion Week just ended.)
• 这家店卖的都是最新时装。(This store sells the latest fashion.)

Don't Say

• 普通衣服不叫'时装' (Ordinary everyday clothes aren't called 时装 — use 衣服 or 服装 for general clothing)

Origin & History

Compound of 时 (current, trendy) + 装 (clothing). Literally 'clothing of the times,' i.e., fashionable dress.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Urban