潜入 (qiánrù) means 'to infiltrate' or 'to sneak into'. It is commonly used in contexts involving stealthy entry, such as military operations, espionage, or even casual situations like sneaking into a party. The word combines the idea of going below the surface (潜) and entering (入), emphasizing a covert approach.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
qiánrù(qian2ru4) T2
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May 27, 2026
潜入qiánrù(qian2ru4)
潜入 (qiánrù) means 'to infiltrate' or 'to sneak into'. It is commonly used in contexts involving stealthy entry, such as military operations, espionage, or even casual situations like sneaking into a party. The word combines the idea of going below the surface (潜) and entering (入), emphasizing a covert approach.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 潜入 is often depicted in Chinese cinema, particularly in spy films where characters must infiltrate organizations or locations stealthily. This reflects historical themes of espionage and strategy in Chinese literature and folklore.
Memory Tip
Imagine a secret agent quietly diving beneath the surface of water to sneak into a guarded area. The character 潜 looks like a wave, representing the stealthy movement under the water, while 入 suggests entering a hidden space.
About 潜入
潜入Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 潜入
Podcast: 潜入
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AI Study Notes for 潜入
Quick Contrast
潜入 (qiánrù) vs 进入 (jìnrù): choose 潜入 for a stealthy or covert entry, while 进入 indicates a straightforward entry without the nuance of secrecy.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a secret agent quietly diving beneath the surface of water to sneak into a guarded area. The character 潜 looks like a wave, representing the stealthy movement under the water, while 入 suggests entering a hidden space.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 潜入 with other similar verbs like 进入 (jìnrù), which means 'to enter' without the nuance of stealth. It's more commonly used in formal or narrative contexts, such as news reports or spy novels. Pay attention to the tone; ensure you pronounce it correctly to avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, students should focus on using 潜入 in complex sentences, especially in discussions about security, espionage, or metaphorical uses like entering a new field or community. It relates to other vocabulary about movement and entry, enhancing comprehension of various contexts.
Cultural Note
The concept of 潜入 is often depicted in Chinese cinema, particularly in spy films where characters must infiltrate organizations or locations stealthily. This reflects historical themes of espionage and strategy in Chinese literature and folklore.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 潜入 with 潜水 (qiánshuǐ), which means 'to dive'. For example, saying '我去潜入海里' ('I go to infiltrate into the sea') is incorrect; it should be '我去潜水' for diving.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 潜入
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Cultural Notes for 潜入
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 潜入 is often depicted in Chinese cinema, particularly in spy films where characters must infiltrate organizations or locations stealthily. This reflects historical themes of espionage and strategy in Chinese literature and folklore.
Frequently Asked Questions about 潜入
Yes, it can be used informally, but it's more common in narrative contexts or discussions about security.
Not necessarily; while it often implies stealth, it can also refer to positive infiltration, like entering a new community or field.
Remember that 潜入 implies a stealthy or secretive entry, while 进入 is a straightforward term for entering.
