保护伞 (bǎo hù sǎn) — (figurative) protective umbrella; patron or backer who provides protection, especially in corrupt or illegal contexts
Definition
A figurative 'protective umbrella' — usually a powerful person (e.g. an official) who shields someone else from investigation, especially corrupt or criminal activity. In the literal sense it just means the same as the object 伞 ('umbrella').
noun
(figurative) protective umbrellapatron or backer who provides protection, especially in corrupt or illegal contexts
Examples
- 保护伞。Zhè ge hēi shè huì tóu mù yǒu zhèng zhì bǎo hù sǎn.This mafia boss has a political protective umbrella.
- 保护伞。Yǒu rén huái yí tā shì fǔ bài fēn zǐ de bǎo hù sǎn.Some suspect he is a protective umbrella for corrupt individuals.
- 保护伞。Lǎo bǎi xìng xū yào fǎ lǜ zhè bǎ bǎo hù sǎn lái bǎo hù zì jǐ.Common people need the law as a protective umbrella to protect themselves.
Origin
Compound word构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head
The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.
保 and 护 both mean protect, and 伞 is an umbrella; together it names a protective umbrella or backer.
Appears in
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