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March 24, 2026
埋mái(mai2)
The character 埋 (mái) primarily means 'to bury' or 'to conceal.' It is often used in contexts where something is hidden from view, whether literally, like burying a body or treasure, or metaphorically, such as burying emotions or secrets. This word can also imply planting something in the ground.
Strokes10Radical土Frequency#2044DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of burying has deep symbolism, often associated with ancestral respect and rituals. For example, the traditional practice of burying offerings for ancestors reflects the significance of honoring one's heritage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named Mai who loves to bury things in her garden. Picture her digging a hole and hiding her treasures (like toys or gold) under the soil. The shape of the character 埋 suggests a person (the top part) burying something underground (the bottom part).
Meanings of 埋
mái(mai2)
primary
1to bury
2to blame
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 埋 means.
About 埋
埋Simplified
10Strokes
土Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2044Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 埋
Podcast: 埋
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AI Study Notes for 埋
Quick Contrast
掩 (yǎn) - use 埋 (mái) when referring specifically to burying or concealing something underground, while 掩 (yǎn) is more about covering or hiding something without the implication of being underground.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 埋 (mái) with other similar-sounding verbs like 买 (mǎi, to buy). Remember that 埋 is used in both formal and informal contexts but leans more towards describing actions related to hiding. Be cautious with tone; mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although not part of the official HSK levels, 埋 can be associated with more advanced verbs related to actions and emotions, helping learners expand their vocabulary around concepts of concealment and planting. Focus on using it in sentences that describe not just physical actions but also metaphorical ones.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 埋 (mái) with买 (mǎi), resulting in phrases like '我埋了书' (Wǒ mái le shū - I buried the book) instead of '我买了书' (Wǒ mǎi le shū - I bought the book). Pay attention to the tones to avoid confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 埋
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How Well Do You Know 埋?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 埋 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.
埋 = 土 + 里. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 埋
IDS Structure⿰土里
埋Full Character
=
土Tu3
left
里li3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 埋?
How to say to bury in Chinese
“to bury” in Chinese is埋mái
The character 埋 (mái) primarily means 'to bury' or 'to conceal.' It is often used in contexts where something is hidden from view, whether literally, like burying a body or treasure, or metaphorically, such as burying emotions or secrets. This word can also imply planting something in the ground.
When to use 埋
Common mistakes include confusing 埋 (mái) with other similar-sounding verbs like 买 (mǎi, to buy). Remember that 埋 is used in both formal and informal contexts but leans more towards describing actions related to hiding. Be cautious with tone; mispronouncing it can change the meaning entirely.
埋 or something close to it
掩 (yǎn) - use 埋 (mái) when referring specifically to burying or concealing something underground, while 掩 (yǎn) is more about covering or hiding something without the implication of being underground.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 埋 (mái) with买 (mǎi), resulting in phrases like '我埋了书' (Wǒ mái le shū - I buried the book) instead of '我买了书' (Wǒ mǎi le shū - I bought the book). Pay attention to the tones to avoid confusion.
Write 埋
埋
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Practice writing 埋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 埋
埋 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 3 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
____头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的婚姻？
While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
Example Sentences for 埋 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
埋头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的婚姻？
mái tóu gōng zuò de shí hòu， ， nǐ shì fǒu hū shì le zì jǐ de hūn？
While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
2
我们在夜深人静的时候把它埋到了花园里。
wǒ mén zài yè shēn rén jìng de shí hòu bǎ tā mái dào le huā yuán lǐ。
We buried it in the garden at dead of night.
3
他拿起一把铁锨，挖了个坑，将自己曾经珍爱的物品埋了起来。
tā ná qǐ yī bǎ tiě xiān， ， wā le gè， kēng ， jiāng zì jǐ zēng jīng zhēn ài de wù pǐn mái le。
He took a shovel, dug a hole, and buried his once-prized possessions.
4
他被埋在废墟下面达好几个小时。
tā bèi mái zài fèi xū xià miàn dá hǎo jī gè xiǎo shí。
