Definitions

mái (verb) to bury
mán (verb) to blame; to complain

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "埋" structurally integrates the earth radical 土 with the component 里, which carries connotations of an interior or enclosed space, thereby forming a semantic construct that implies placing an object within the ground. Its primary meaning has always revolved around the act of burying, initially applied to physical interment, but over time it acquired extended metaphorical senses, such as concealing emotions, neglecting talents, or setting ambushes, reflecting a shift from purely tangible contexts to more abstract applications while maintaining its essential link to the idea of concealment.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他把种子在土里。

Tā bǎ zhǒngzi mái zài tǔ lǐ.

He buried the seeds in the soil.

小狗把骨头起来。

Xiǎo gǒu bǎ gǔtou mái qǐlái.

The dog buried the bone.

他们葬了去世的宠物。

Tāmen máizàng le qùshì de chǒngwù.

They buried the deceased pet.

士兵们在树林里伏。

Shìbīngmen zài shùlín lǐ máifú.

The soldiers ambushed in the forest.

他的才华被没了。

Tā de cáihuá bèi máimò le.

His talent was buried/neglected.

她把秘密深深地在心底。

Tā bǎ mìmì shēnshēn de mái zài xīndǐ.

She buried the secret deep in her heart.

这座城市藏着古老的历史。

Zhè zuò chéngshì máicáng zhe gǔlǎo de lìshǐ.

This city buries ancient history.

为了不被发现,他们连夜把证据在了荒郊野外。

Wèile bù bèi fāxiàn, tāmen liányè bǎ zhèngjù mái zài le huāngjiāo yěwài.

To avoid being discovered, they buried the evidence in the wilderness overnight.