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改装 (gǎi zhuāng) — to modify (a vehicle, machine, etc.) for improved performance or different use; to repackage or change the appearance (of a product, costume); to convert (a device) to a different function

Definition

改装 means modifying or converting a physical object (vehicle, device, building) to change its function or appearance. Unlike 修改 or 改动 (text edits), it refers to tangible remaking.

verb
to modify (a vehicle, machine, etc.) for improved performance or different useto repackage or change the appearance (of a product, costume)to convert (a device) to a different function

Examples

  • 改装。
    Tā bǎ zì jǐ de pǎo chē gǎi zhuāng chéng le diàn dòng chē.
    He converted his sports car into an electric vehicle.
  • 改装。
    Zhè jiàn yī fu xū yào gǎi zhuāng chéng hàn fú yàng shì.
    This outfit needs to be modified into a Hanfu style.
  • 改装。
    Tā men bǎ jiù cāng kù gǎi zhuāng chéng le yì shù gōng zuò shì.
    They converted the old warehouse into an art studio.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

改gǎichange
装zhuāngfitting

改 (change) the 装 (fitting or outfit) of something makes it refitted or repackaged.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攴攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
巳
巳sì改gǎi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

An early form of 改 paired 巳 as a sound part with 攴 as a meaning part; the sound part later changed.

Open 改 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 裝; 装 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
衣衣yīclothes
Sound part声符shēngfú
壯
壯zhuàng裝zhuāng
Same sound today

The traditional form 裝 pairs 衣 (clothes) with 壯 as a sound part; this story is about 裝, not the simplified 装.

Open 装 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Technology & Engineering

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.