薆 (ài) - to cover & to hide

薆Tone 4

ài ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

安

薆 · ài

to cover;

to hide;

to conceal;

luxuriant growth of plants;

affectionate (archaic usage)

to coverto hideto conceal

Usage highlights

to cover and concealluxuriant vegetationhidden and obscureaffectionate feelingsdense foliageconcealed truth

Synonyms

  • 藏— to hide, conceal
  • 蔽— to cover, shield
  • 隐— to conceal, hide
  • 爱— love, affection (for the archaic sense)

Antonyms

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

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The moon was hidden by clouds (月薆云中).
  • Luxuriant vegetation covered the hillside (薆薆草木).
  • They concealed their true intentions (薆其真情).
  • In classical poetry, it expressed deep affection (中心薆之).

Collocations

  • to cover and conceal(薆蔽)
  • luxuriant vegetation(薆薆)
  • hidden and obscure(薆昧)
  • affectionate feelings(薆然)
  • dense foliage(薆茸)
  • concealed truth(薆实)

Idioms

  • Deep affection that cannot be spoken(中心薆之)
  • Luxuriant growth covering everything(薆薆葱葱)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese texts like the Book of Songs with the meaning 'affectionate'
  • Used in botanical contexts to describe dense, covering vegetation
  • Considered a literary character with classical elegance

FAQ