瞒 (mán) — to conceal (something from someone), to keep someone in the dark
Definition
瞒 (mán) focuses on hiding something FROM a person — keeping them in the dark. Unlike 隐藏 (hiding objects or feelings) or 掩盖 (covering up facts/mistakes), 瞒 needs a person as the target.
verb
to conceal (something from someone)to keep someone in the dark
Easily confused
Examples
- 瞒。Tā mán zhe fù mǔ tōu tōu qù lǚ xíng le.He went on a trip in secret, hiding it from his parents.
- 瞒，。Zhè jiàn shì nǐ mán bú guò tā, tā zǎo wǎn huì zhī dào.You can't hide this from her; she'll find out sooner or later.
- 瞒，。Tā mán le dà jiā hěn jiǔ, zuì hòu hái shì shuō le shí huà.He kept everyone in the dark for a long time, but in the end he told the truth.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 瞞; 瞒 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
㒼
㒼㒼瞞mán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 瞞 pairs 目 (eye) with 㒼, which gives the sound and means to cover tightly; this explanation is about 瞞, not 瞒.
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