閟 (bì) - To shut & to close

閟Tone 4

bì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

閟 · bì

To shut;

to close;

to conceal;

quiet;

secret;

also refers to a shrine or ancestral temple.

To shutto closeto conceal

Usage highlights

Close the doorKeep secretAncestral templeConceal informationQuiet and secludedShut away

Synonyms

  • 閉— to close; to shut
  • 藏— to hide; to conceal
  • 密— secret; confidential

Antonyms

  • 開— to open
  • 顯— to reveal; to make public

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He closed the door tightly (閟門).
  • The secret was kept for years (閟密).
  • The ancestral temple was solemn and quiet (閟宮).
  • The matter was concealed from the public (閟而不宣).

Collocations

  • Close the door(閟門)
  • Keep secret(閟密)
  • Ancestral temple(閟宮)
  • Conceal information(閟匿)
  • Quiet and secluded(幽閟)
  • Shut away(深閟)

Idioms

  • The secluded ancestral temple(閟宮)
  • Shut away in deep secrecy(深閟嚴扃)
  • Concealed and not revealed(閟而不宣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical texts, '閟' often describes the solemn, closed-off nature of ancestral temples or sacred spaces.
  • The character carries connotations of reverence, secrecy, and separation from the mundane world.
  • Its use in names is rare and typically evokes a sense of classical depth, mystery, or protection.

FAQ