弢 (tāo) - A bow case & to conceal, to hide

弢Tone 1

tāo ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 弓

檀婷

弢 · tāo

A bow case;

to conceal, to hide;

used metaphorically for talent or military prowess that is kept hidden.

A bow caseto conceal, to hideused metaphorically for talent or military prowess that

Usage highlights

Bow caseHidden talentTo conceal one's abilitiesMilitary strategyLiterary collection

Synonyms

  • 韬— to conceal; strategy (often used interchangeably)
  • 藏— to hide, to conceal
  • 隐— to conceal, to hide

Antonyms

  • 显— to show, to display
  • 露— to reveal, to expose

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He keeps his talents hidden (藏弓弢矢).
  • The ancient bow case was called a 弢.
  • His literary name suggests hidden brilliance (文弢).

Collocations

  • Bow case(弓弢)
  • Hidden talent(韬略)
  • To conceal one's abilities(韬光养晦)
  • Military strategy(韬略)
  • Literary collection(文弢)

Idioms

  • Conceal one's capacities and bide one's time(韬光养晦)
  • Military strategy and tactics(文韬武略)
  • Hide one's bow and arrows(藏弓弢矢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to a case for a bow, symbolizing the act of putting away or concealing weaponry.
  • By extension, it came to represent the concealment of one's abilities or ambitions, a valued strategy in both military and political contexts.
  • Used in classical texts and personal names to imply depth, strategy, and reserved power.

FAQ