costume, disguise

JLPT N5 7 strokes

Words with this Kanji

Usage of

The verb (bàn) primarily means to dress up or to play a role, often involving costumes or disguises. It is commonly used in contexts related to acting, performances, or playful dressing up, such as children wearing costumes for parties.

Common Collocations

  • 扮演 (bànyǎn): to play a role in a drama or film.
  • (bànchéng): to dress up as or disguise oneself as something or someone.

Nuances

When using , the focus is on the act of assuming a role or appearance, often temporarily and for a specific occasion. It differs from simply wearing clothes, as it implies transformation or role-playing. Avoid confusing with 穿 (chuān), which means to wear clothes without the implication of role or disguise.

Register and Tone

is neutral and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in contexts involving theater, film, or costume events.

Example Sentences

He played a brave hero in the drama.

Children like to dress up as various animals to attend parties.

She specially dressed up as an ancient noblewoman for the performance.