Definitions

gài (verb) to cover; to conceal
gài (noun) lid; top; cover; canopy
gài (verb) to build

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "盖", traditionally represented as "蓋", originates from the concept of a cover or lid, with its composition featuring a grass radical atop a lower component that historically implied a vessel or the action of placing a cover, reflecting early uses of plant materials for thatching and protection. This structural foundation underpinned its initial meanings related to physical covers, which gradually expanded to include verbal actions such as to roof, to conceal, or to overwhelm, while in classical usage it also adopted grammatical roles to introduce causes or approximate estimations. The simplified form "盖" emerged as a graphic variant that condensed these elements, and over time the character's semantic range continued to evolve, integrating both tangible applications for objects like lids and abstract functions in explanatory or superlative contexts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请把好。

Qǐng bǎ gàizi gài hǎo.

Please put the lid on properly.

他们在新房子。

Tāmen zài gài xīn fángzi.

They are building a new house.

文件需要章。

Wénjiàn xūyào gàizhāng.

The document needs to be stamped.

白雪覆了大地。

Báixuě fùgàile dàdì.

White snow covered the earth.

他试图掩真相。

Tā shìtú yǎngài zhēnxiàng.

He tried to conceal the truth.

篮球比赛中他帽了。

Lánqiú bǐsài zhōng tā gàimàole.

He blocked a shot in the basketball game.

这个理论覆了所有情况。

Zhège lǐlùn fùgàile suǒyǒu qíngkuàng.

This theory covers all situations.

他们计划一座博物馆。

Tāmen jìhuà gài yí zuò bówùguǎn.

They plan to build a museum.