Definitions

yǐn (adjective) hidden; concealed; secret
yìn (verb) to lean upon

Etymology

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

About

The character "隐", traditionally written as "隱", originates from a structural composition where the left radical "阝" derives from "阜" indicating a hill or mound, and the right component "㥯" contributes a sense of concealment, collectively conveying the early meaning of hiding or being obscured behind a landscape feature. Over centuries, its semantic scope expanded beyond physical hiding to encompass abstract ideas such as secrecy, latency, and implicit qualities, while also acquiring nuanced connotations in philosophical and social contexts, such as personal modesty or withdrawn conduct. The character's form experienced graphical modifications over time, resulting in the simplified variant "隐", which maintains the radical but streamlines the right-hand element for practical writing.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他很会藏真实感情。

Tā hěn huì yǐncáng zhēnshí gǎnqíng.

He is very good at hiding his true feelings.

私是每个人的基本权利。

Yǐnsī shì měi gè rén de jīběn quánlì.

Privacy is a fundamental right for everyone.

这里存在安全患,必须解决。

Zhèlǐ cúnzài ānquán yǐnhuàn, bìxū jiějué.

There is a hidden safety hazard here that must be resolved.

他的话里透着不满。

Tā de huà lǐ yǐnyǐn tòu zhe bùmǎn.

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his words.

这件事约约让我感到不安。

Zhè jiàn shì yǐnyǐnyuēyuē ràng wǒ gǎndào bù'ān.

This matter vaguely makes me feel uneasy.

他的诗中含着深刻的哲理。

Tā de shī zhōng yǐnhán zhe shēnkè de zhélǐ.

His poetry contains profound philosophical truths.

调查揭露了长期被瞒的真相。

Diàochá jiēlù le chángqī bèi yǐnmán de zhēnxiàng.

The investigation uncovered a truth that had been concealed for a long time.

艺术品的价值往往于其形式之下。

Yìshùpǐn de jiàzhí wǎngwǎng yǐn yú qí xíngshì zhī xià.

The value of an artwork often lies hidden beneath its form.