匽 (yǎn) - To hide, conceal & to store away

匽Tone 3

yǎn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

匽 · yǎn

To hide, conceal;

to store away;

to retire, withdraw;

also refers to a type of drainage ditch or sewer in ancient times.

To hide, concealto store awayto retire, withdraw

Usage highlights

To hide awayTo live in seclusionDrainage ditchTo conceal one's feelingsTo store secretlyTo retire from public life

Synonyms

  • 藏— to hide, conceal
  • 隐— to conceal, hide
  • 匿— to hide, conceal

Antonyms

  • 显— to reveal, display
  • 露— to expose, reveal
  • 现— to appear, manifest

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He retired from public life to live in seclusion (匽居).
  • Ancient cities had drainage systems (匽潴).
  • The treasure was hidden away (匽藏).
  • She concealed her true feelings (匽情).

Collocations

  • To hide away(匽藏)
  • To live in seclusion(匽居)
  • Drainage ditch(匽潴)
  • To conceal one's feelings(匽情)
  • To store secretly(匽贮)
  • To retire from public life(匽逸)

Idioms

  • To hide one's light under a bushel(韜光匽彩)
  • To live in seclusion and cultivate virtue(匽居修德)
  • To conceal one's talents and bide one's time(匽才待时)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient Chinese architecture, '匽' referred to drainage systems, showing advanced urban planning.
  • The character embodies the Confucian ideal of retiring from public life to cultivate personal virtue.
  • Used historically by scholars who withdrew from official service during turbulent times.

FAQ