HSK · Level 8
135 words
Chinese word
盖
Pronunciation
Pinyingài
Meaning
- verbcover
Example
妈妈用被子盖着孩子。mā mā yòng bèi zi gài zhe hái zi
Mom is covering the child with a blanket.
More examples
工人正在盖房顶。gōng rén zhèng zài gài fáng dǐng
The workers are covering the roof.
Core concept
Puts a layer over something to hide or protect it, with a roof extending the same action to a space.
Common phrases
盖上被子gài shàng bèi zi
cover with a blanket
盖住伤口gài zhù shāng kǒu
cover a wound
盖房顶gài fáng dǐng
cover a roof
Similar words
盖上gài shàng: Closes the top of something by covering it with a lid, cloth, or similar material.
盖住gài zhù: Covers something fully and keeps it hidden from view.
包bāo: Covers an object all around with cloth or paper to enclose its contents.
Definition in Chinese
用盖子、被子或其他东西覆盖另一物，使其不显露或得到保护，也可引申为搭盖、加盖以致形成建筑等。yòng gài zi bèi zi huò qí tā dōng xī fù gài lìng yí wù shǐ qí bù xiǎn lù huò dé dào bǎo hù yě kě yǐn shēn wèi dā gài jiā gài yǐ zhì xíng chéng jiàn zhù děng
Word origin
盖 (gài, "cover") is the simplified form of 蓋 (gài, "cover"), and its older covering sense extends from objects to roofs and buildings.
Usage tips
- English cover also applies to abstract tasks such as paying a bill, while this Chinese verb has a strong everyday focus on concrete covering and construction.