Meanings of 藏
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About 藏
Podcast: 藏
Podcast: 藏
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AI Study Notes for 藏
藏 (cáng) vs 隐藏 (yǐncáng) — use 藏 for general hiding or storing, while 隐藏 emphasizes secrecy or concealment.
Common mistakes include confusing 藏 with other similar characters like 隐 (yǐn), which also means to hide but carries a different connotation. 藏 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about Tibetan culture. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
Although 藏 is not listed in the official HSK levels, it connects to themes of storage and concealment found in vocabulary at HSK 4 and above. Students should focus on its use in phrases related to storing items or hiding information, as well as its cultural significance in discussions about Tibet.
Learners often confuse 藏 with 藏匿 (cángnì), which means 'to hide away' but implies a more secretive or illegal connotation. Always use 藏 for general hiding or storing contexts, and be cautious with the context when adding modifiers.
Pronunciation of 藏
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Jason Explains 藏 to You
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Learning Lab
Knowing 藏 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 藏
Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 臧 represents the sound.
grass
Origin
藏 = 艹 + 臧. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 藏
Parts
Which of these is part of 藏?
How to say to conceal in Chinese
“to conceal” in Chinese is藏
The character 藏 (cáng) primarily means 'to conceal' or 'to hide away.' It is commonly used in contexts involving storage or hoarding, as well as referring to Tibet (西藏, Xīzàng), which is known for its rich cultural and religious heritage, including Buddhist scriptures. The nuance of this word can vary, depending on whether it refers to physical hiding or metaphorical concealment.
When to use 藏
Common mistakes include confusing 藏 with other similar characters like 隐 (yǐn), which also means to hide but carries a different connotation. 藏 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in literature or discussions about Tibetan culture. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
藏 or something close to it
藏 (cáng) vs 隐藏 (yǐncáng) — use 藏 for general hiding or storing, while 隐藏 emphasizes secrecy or concealment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 藏 with 藏匿 (cángnì), which means 'to hide away' but implies a more secretive or illegal connotation. Always use 藏 for general hiding or storing contexts, and be cautious with the context when adding modifiers.
Write 藏
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Practice writing 藏 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 藏
藏 carries 11 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我们先把礼物____起来。
Let's hide the gifts first.
Example Sentences for 藏 (10)
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Word Family of 藏
Words with 藏
What does 收藏 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 藏
While both 藏 (cáng) and 隐藏 (yǐncáng) mean 'to hide,' 藏 is more about physical concealment, whereas 隐藏 refers to hiding something in a more abstract sense, such as emotions or intentions. Understanding this distinction can help improve your Chinese communication skills.
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