捂

wǔ

HSK 3.0 7

Rank #3092

Definitions

wǔ (verb) to cover with the hand; to enclose; to cover up

Etymology

To resist 吾 by hand 扌; 吾 also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "捂", which conveys the sense of covering or sealing with the hand, is etymologically built from the hand radical (扌) paired with the phonetic component "吾", despite the modern pronunciation wǔ not aligning perfectly with this phonetic hint. Its traditional form, "摀", replaces the phonetic with "屋", showcasing a structural variation in its historical development. Initially centered on literal physical actions like covering one's mouth or eyes, the meaning of "捂" has over time extended into more figurative realms, such as the concealment of information or the suppression of scandals, thereby maintaining its core link to hand-based action while adapting to broader contextual uses.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他用手捂住嘴。

Tā yòng shǒu wǔ zhù zuǐ.

He covers his mouth with his hand.

她害羞地捂住了脸。

Tā hàixiū de wǔ zhù le liǎn.

She covered her face shyly.

天冷了，他把手捂在口袋里。

Tiān lěng le, tā bǎ shǒu wǔ zài kǒudài lǐ.

It's cold, so he keeps his hands tucked in his pockets.

听到坏消息，她捂着脸哭了。

Tīng dào huài xiāoxi, tā wǔ zhe liǎn kū le.

Upon hearing the bad news, she covered her face and cried.

他迅速捂住了流血的伤口。

Tā xùnsù wǔ zhù le liúxuè de shāngkǒu.

He quickly covered the bleeding wound.

孩子捂着耳朵不敢听巨响。

Háizi wǔ zhe ěrduo bù gǎn tīng jù xiǎng.

The child covered his ears, afraid to hear the loud noise.

别总捂着问题，要说出来解决。

Bié zǒng wǔ zhe wèntí, yào shuō chūlái jiějué.

Don't always keep problems covered up; you need to speak them out to solve them.

他用围巾捂住口鼻以防灰尘。

Tā yòng wéijīn wǔ zhù kǒu bí yǐ fáng huīchén.

He covered his nose and mouth with a scarf to guard against dust.

Related Characters

Component: 吾

Component: 扌

Components

吾扌

捂