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March 24, 2026
潛qián(qian2)
The character 潛 (qián) means to hide or be hidden, often referring to something that is latent or not immediately visible. It is commonly used in contexts where something is concealed or subtle, such as feelings, talents, or intentions that are not apparent at first glance.
Strokes15Radical氵Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 潛 is often used in literature and conversation to describe talents or virtues that are not overtly displayed, reflecting the value placed on humility and the depth of character.
Memory Tip
Imagine a quiet pond (水) where something is lurking beneath the surface, hidden from view. The radical for water (水) reminds us of the fluidity of hiding, while the sound 'qián' can be associated with 'quietly hiding' beneath the water.
Meanings of 潛
qián(qian2)
1to hide; secret, latent, hidden
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 潛
潛Simplified
15Strokes
氵Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 潛
Podcast: 潛
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AI Study Notes for 潛
Quick Contrast
潜 (qián) vs 隐 (yǐn) — use 潜 for something that is latent or hidden beneath the surface, while 隐 emphasizes concealment or being secretive.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a quiet pond (水) where something is lurking beneath the surface, hidden from view. The radical for water (水) reminds us of the fluidity of hiding, while the sound 'qián' can be associated with 'quietly hiding' beneath the water.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 潛 with 隱 (yǐn), which also means to hide but has a slightly different nuance. 潛 is more about something being latent, while 隱 focuses on concealment. It is typically used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 潛 is not part of HSK, it connects well with other HSK vocabulary related to emotions and characteristics, such as 隱藏 (yǐncáng - to hide) and 潜力 (qiánlì - potential). Focus on how it can be used in phrases to describe things that are not immediately visible.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 潛 is often used in literature and conversation to describe talents or virtues that are not overtly displayed, reflecting the value placed on humility and the depth of character.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 潛 when referring to something actively hidden or concealed, such as saying 潛的秘密 (qián de mìmì) instead of the more appropriate 隱藏的秘密 (yǐncáng de mìmì). Remember, 潛 emphasizes latent qualities rather than active hiding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 潛
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Cultural Notes for 潛
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 潛 is often used in literature and conversation to describe talents or virtues that are not overtly displayed, reflecting the value placed on humility and the depth of character.
Word Family of 潛
Words Containing This Character20
潜力qiánlìpotential潛力
潜在qiánzàihidden潛在
潜qiánhidden潛
潜水qiánshuǐto dive潛水
潜艇qiántǐngsubmarine潛艇
潜入to submerge潛入
潜意识unconscious mind潛意識
潜能qiánnéngpotential潛能
潜伏to hide潛伏
潜质potential潛質
潜逃to abscond潛逃
潜水员diver潛水員
潜水艇submarine潛水艇
潜心single-minded潛心
潜移默化qiányímòhuàimperceptible influence潛移默化
潜藏buried and concealed潛藏
潜伏期incubation period (of disease)潛伏期
潜台词subtext潛臺詞
反潜anti-submarine反潛
潜行to slink潛行
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 潜力 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 潛
It is pronounced as 'qián', with a rising tone.
Yes, 潛 is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly used in written language.
Yes, characters like 隱 (yǐn - to hide) and 藏 (cáng - to conceal) are related but have different nuances.
