时装

The Chinese word 时装 (shí zhuāng) for "fashion" is a compound of two characters: 时 (shí), meaning "time" or "season," and 装 (zhuāng), meaning "dress" or "attire." Together, they literally mean "clothes of the time" or "seasonal clothing." This reflects the idea that fashion is constantly changing and evolving with the times, as new styles and trends emerge each season.The term 时装 first appeared in Chinese during the late Qing dynasty (1644-1912), when it was used to describe the latest Western fashions that were being adopted by Chinese elites. Prior to this, the Chinese language did not have a specific word for "fashion," and instead used more general terms such as 衣裳 (yī shang) or 服装 (fú zhuāng) to refer to clothing.The adoption of the term 时装 reflects the growing influence of Western culture on Chinese society during the late Qing dynasty. As China began to open up to the West, new ideas and fashions from Europe and America were introduced, and the Chinese people became increasingly interested in staying up-to-date with the latest trends.Today, 时装 is the most common Chinese word for "fashion," and it is used in a variety of contexts, including fashion magazines, fashion shows, and fashion retail stores. It is also used to refer to the fashion industry as a whole.