About
The character "掩" derives from a phono-semantic structure combining the hand radical, indicating manual action, with the component "奄", which supplies both phonetic value and an inherent sense of covering or enveloping. Its original meaning centered on the physical act of covering or hiding with the hand, but over time it acquired broader applications including closing or shutting, as in doors, and extended to abstract notions of concealment or even sudden actions like ambushing, where hiddenness is essential. The traditional form of the character remains consistent with this composition, though historical orthographic variants such as "揜" existed, reflecting minor graphical adjustments without shifting the core concept. Throughout its linguistic history, "掩" has maintained a stable association between hand-based actions and various forms of obscuration or closure.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他掩饰了情绪。
垃圾被掩埋在地下。
士兵掩护平民撤退。
绿树掩映着红墙。
她用手遮掩了阳光。
他试图掩盖错误，但失败了。
尽管他掩饰得很好，还是露出了破绽。
在夜幕的掩蔽下，部队悄悄前进。