Meanings of 盖
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About 盖
Podcast: 盖
Podcast: 盖
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AI Study Notes for 盖
盖 (gài, to cover) vs 蓋 (gài, to cover, traditional form) — use 盖 for simplified contexts; 蓋 is the traditional writing.
Be cautious not to confuse 盖 with similar characters like 蓋 (also pronounced gài), which is more formal in literary contexts. It's often used in both informal and formal settings, but context matters, especially in written forms. Common collocations include 盖子 (gàizi - lid) and 盖房子 (gài fángzi - to build a house).
As a level 5 word, 盖 connects with other practical verbs of construction and protection. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and idioms, and practice using it in various contexts, especially in speaking and writing about physical objects.
Learners often confuse 盖 with other covering verbs, leading to sentences like '我盖了窗户' (Wǒ gài le chuānghù - I covered the window) when they mean to say 'I closed the window.' The correct verb for closing is 关 (guān).
Pronunciation of 盖
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Etymology of 盖
Simplified form of 蓋. Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 盍 represents the sound.
A dish 皿 with a lid 羊
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 盖
Simplified form of 蓋. Phonosemantic compound. 艹 represents the meaning and 盍 represents the sound.
- 1The giveawayA dish 皿 with a lid 羊
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 盖? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 盖?
Decomposition of 盖
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 盖?
How to say lid in Chinese
“lid” in Chinese is盖
The character 盖 (gài) primarily means 'to cover' or 'to lid.' It can also refer to the top of something or a canopy. In addition to its physical meanings, it can imply protection or concealment, making it versatile in various contexts such as architecture or everyday conversation.
When to use 盖
Be cautious not to confuse 盖 with similar characters like 蓋 (also pronounced gài), which is more formal in literary contexts. It's often used in both informal and formal settings, but context matters, especially in written forms. Common collocations include 盖子 (gàizi - lid) and 盖房子 (gài fángzi - to build a house).
盖 or something close to it
盖 (gài, to cover) vs 蓋 (gài, to cover, traditional form) — use 盖 for simplified contexts; 蓋 is the traditional writing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 盖 with other covering verbs, leading to sentences like '我盖了窗户' (Wǒ gài le chuānghù - I covered the window) when they mean to say 'I closed the window.' The correct verb for closing is 关 (guān).
Write 盖
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Practice writing 盖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 盖
盖 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 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
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这是我盖的房子。
This is the house I built.
Complete the Sentence
在中国农村，____房子是一件大事。
In rural China, building a house is a big deal.
Common Confusions with 盖
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "lid"?
Usage Notes for 盖
Be mindful of using 盖 (gài) versus 概 (gài) as they sound the same.
我盖了一个房子。
I built a house.
Fill in the Blank
我____了一个房子。
I built a house.
Example Sentences for 盖 (10)
Word Family of 盖
Compound Meaning
What does 盖 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 盖
The surname 盖 (Gě) is less common in Chinese culture but can be found among various families. Like many Chinese surnames, it may have historical significance or be derived from geographical or occupational origins. If you're interested in genealogy, researching family history can provide more insights.
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