Definition
装蒜 is an informal, mildly pejorative verb meaning 'to pretend not to know, to act innocent, or to play dumb'. It's a separable verb-object compound (装 + 蒜), so measure words or modifiers can split the two characters — for example 装什么蒜 ('what are you pretending for?') or 装了一回蒜 ('pretended once'). You use it when someone is clearly aware but feigns ignorance, often to avoid a question or responsibility.
v.o.
to pretend not to knowto play dumbto feign ignorance
Examples
- 装蒜,。Bié zhuāng suàn le, nǐ míngmíng zhīdào shì zěnme huí shì.Stop playing dumb — you clearly know what's going on.
- ?。Nǐ zhuāng shénme suàn? Zhè jiàn shì jiù shì nǐ gàn de.What are you pretending? You're the one who did this.
- ,。Tā zhuāng le bàntiān suàn, zuìhòu háishì chéngrèn le.He played dumb for a while, but finally admitted it.
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