潜 (qián) - To hide & to conceal

潜Tone 2

qián ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

潜 · qián

To hide;

to conceal;

to dive;

to submerge;

to lurk;

to be latent;

to investigate deeply.

To hideto concealto dive

Usage highlights

SubmarinePotentialLurkingDivingInSubconscious

Synonyms

  • 藏— to hide, conceal
  • 隐— to conceal, latent
  • 伏— to lie low, ambush

Antonyms

  • 显— to appear, manifest
  • 露— to expose, reveal
  • 浮— to float, superficial

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The submarine can dive deep underwater (潜水艇).
  • He has great potential for development (潜力).
  • Scientists are conducting in-depth research (潜心研究).
  • The spy operated covertly in enemy territory (潜伏).

Collocations

  • Submarine(潜水艇)
  • Potential(潜力)
  • Lurking(潜伏)
  • Diving(潜水)
  • In-depth research(潜心研究)
  • Subconscious(潜意识)

Idioms

  • Diving dragon, hidden tiger(潜龙伏虎)
  • Hidden dragon, crouching tiger(潜龙卧虎)
  • To lurk and wait for an opportunity(潜身缩首)
  • To dive deep and hide(潜踪匿迹)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese philosophy, '潜龙' (hidden dragon) from the I Ching represents wisdom and potential waiting for the right moment to emerge.
  • The character embodies the concept of strategic concealment and preparation before action, valued in military and philosophical traditions.
  • Associated with water elements and the idea of depth, both literal and metaphorical.

FAQ