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蔽 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
to coverv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30122, Very Hard
to shieldv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30122, Very Hard
to screenv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30122, Very Hard
to concealv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30122, Very Hard
to cover, to hide, to shelterv, 14 strokes, radical 艹, rank #30122, Very Hard
(bi4) T4
  1. 1to cover
  2. 2to shield
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

(bi4)

The character 蔽 (bì) means to cover or conceal something from view. It is commonly used in contexts where something is shielded or hidden, often implying protection or secrecy. This term can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts, such as emotions or information.

Strokes14RadicalFrequency#30122DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of shielding or covering can relate to the value of modesty and discretion. For example, the idea of '蔽日' is often used in poetry to describe the beauty of nature and how it can obscure or protect what lies beneath.

Memory Tip

Imagine a large leaf (the radical '艹' on top) covering a small creature below it, shielding it from danger. The sound 'bì' can be remembered by thinking of a bee buzzing quietly beneath the leaf, effectively hiding from predators.

Meanings of 蔽

(bi4)
1to cover
2to shield
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 蔽

Simplified
14Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#30122Frequency Rank

Podcast: 蔽

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Podcast:

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AI Study Notes for 蔽

Quick Contrast

遮 (zhē) — use 蔽 (bì) when emphasizing concealment for protection or secrecy, while 遮 (zhē) focuses more on blocking or obstructing view.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a large leaf (the radical '艹' on top) covering a small creature below it, shielding it from danger. The sound 'bì' can be remembered by thinking of a bee buzzing quietly beneath the leaf, effectively hiding from predators.

Usage Notes

Learners should be cautious not to confuse 蔽 with the similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It is generally used in more formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '蔽日' (to block the sun) and '蔽护' (to protect).

HSK Study Tips

While 蔽 is not on the HSK list, it shares components with other characters like '掩' (to cover) and '遮' (to shield). Students at this level should focus on the nuances of meaning and usage that separate these characters, enhancing their vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of shielding or covering can relate to the value of modesty and discretion. For example, the idea of '蔽日' is often used in poetry to describe the beauty of nature and how it can obscure or protect what lies beneath.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 蔽 with 遮 (zhē) or 掩 (yǎn), thinking they are interchangeable. For instance, saying '他蔽住了秘密' (He covered the secret) is incorrect; it should be '他掩住了秘密' (He concealed the secret).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 蔽

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Etymology of 蔽

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 敝 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

grass

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 蔽?

Decomposition of 蔽

IDS Structure⿱艹敝
Full Character
=
cao3
top
bi4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 蔽?

Write 蔽

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 蔽

蔽 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

可能是愤怒蒙____了他的眼睛,也可能是他判断有误。

Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty.

Example Sentences for 蔽 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
可能是愤怒蒙蔽了他的眼睛,也可能是他判断有误。

kě néng shì fèn nù mēng bì le tā de yǎn jīng, , yě kě néng shì tā pàn duàn yǒu。

Perhaps anger had clouded his vision, perhaps his judgment had been faulty.
2
这里的海岸线属于世界上最无遮蔽的一段了。

zhè lǐ de hǎi àn xiàn shǔ yú shì jiè shàng zuì wú zhē bì de yī duàn le。

This is some of the most exposed coastline in the world.
3
我真蠢,居然被他的胡乱吹嘘给蒙蔽了。

wǒ zhēn chǔn, , jū rán bèi tā de hú luàn chuī xū gěi mēng bì。

I'd been a fool letting him snow me with his big ideas.
4
他会用事实和数据蒙蔽你的理智。

tā huì yòng shì shí hé shù jù mēng bì nǐ de lǐ zhì。

He can dull your senses with facts and figures.
5
他们又开始跑,离开隐蔽处朝公路冲去。

tā mén yòu kāi shǐ pǎo, , lí kāi yǐn bì chǔ zhāo gōng lù chōng。

They began running again, broke cover and dashed towards the road.
6
云翳蔽空,日色朦胧,经丛林这么一反射,又阴又湿的空气就给烤得热烘烘的.

yún yì bì kōng, , rì sè méng, lóng , jīng cóng lín zhè mó yī, fǎn shè , yòu yīn yòu shī de kōng qì jiù gěi kǎo dé rè.

The sun obscured by overcast, refracted from the jungle and heated the moist dark air.
7
猎人派一名赶猎助手上前把鹧鸪从隐蔽处赶出来.

liè rén pài yī míng gǎn liè zhù shǒu shàng qián bǎ zhè gū cóng yǐn bì chǔ gǎn chū lái.

The huntsman sent a beater ahead to scare out the partridge.
8
旌旗蔽日, 刀剑如麻.

jīng qí bì rì, , dāo jiàn rú.

There are myriads of flags enough to conceal the sun, and swords are as numerous as a field of hemp.
9
无光无忧,拾级掩饰的暗梯--啊,真幸运--黑暗而隐蔽, 我的寓所正在安息.

wú guāng wú yōu, , shí jí yǎn shì de àn-- tī, -- ā ,-- zhēn xìng yùn -- hēi, àn ér yǐn bì , wǒ de yù.

In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.
10
天空几乎完全被云所遮蔽。

tiān kōng jī hū wán quán bèi yún suǒ zhē bì。

The sky was almost entirely obscured by cloud.

Cultural Notes for 蔽

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of shielding or covering can relate to the value of modesty and discretion. For example, the idea of '蔽日' is often used in poetry to describe the beauty of nature and how it can obscure or protect what lies beneath.

Word Family of 蔽

Words Containing This Character11
隐蔽yǐnbìto conceal隱蔽
屏蔽to screen
蒙蔽to deceive
to cover
遮蔽to cover
掩蔽shelter
遮天蔽日omnipresent
一言以蔽之in a nutshell
衣不蔽体fig. poverty-stricken衣不蔽體
荫蔽to conceal蔭蔽
障蔽to obstruct
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 隐蔽 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 蔽

You can say '树叶蔽日' (The leaves cover the sun) to illustrate its use.