暗地里 (àn dì lǐ) — (adverbial phrase) secretly; inwardly; on the sly

Definition

A noun phrase meaning 'in secret / behind the scenes'. It names the hidden state itself, used adverbially; 偷偷 is the plain adverb 'stealthily' placed before a verb, while 暗中 leans toward a setting hidden from view.

noun
(adverbial phrase) secretlyinwardlyon the sly

Examples

  • 暗地里
    Tā àn dì lǐ zuò le hěn duō zhǔn bèi gōng zuò.
    He secretly did a lot of preparation work.
  • 暗地里
    Tā àn dì lǐ guān chá zhe duì shǒu de yì jǔ yí dòng.
    She secretly observed every move of her opponent.
  • 暗地里
    Tā men àn dì lǐ dá chéng le xié yì.
    They secretly reached an agreement.

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