Definition
隐姓埋名 (yǐn xìng mái míng) is a four-character idiom meaning 'to live incognito' — literally 'hide surname, bury name'. It describes someone deliberately concealing their identity, often to escape danger, avoid recognition, or start a new life. The term appears in martial arts fiction, spy thrillers, and real-life stories of people who disappear from public life. Unlike 'live incognito' in English, it carries a literary, slightly romantic or dramatic tone in Chinese, often implying a complete self-erasure from one's former identity.
f.e.
to live incognitoto conceal one's identity (by hiding one's real name)
Examples
- ，隐姓埋名。Tā wèile ānquán, juédìng yǐn xìng mái míng yí bèizi.For safety, he decided to live incognito for the rest of his life.
- 隐姓埋名，。Hěn duō jiàndié dōu yǐn xìng mái míng, bù ràng rén zhīdào tāmen de zhēnshí shēnfèn.Many spies live incognito, not letting anyone know their real identities.
- 隐姓埋名，。Tā yǐn xìng mái míng hùnrù dífāng, rènwu fēicháng wēixiǎn.He went incognito among the enemy — an extremely dangerous mission.
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