Chinese Character: 盖
1. Character Basics
Radical: 皿 (mǐn) - Dish radical
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
Structure: It is a pictophonetic character, from 皿 (dish) and 盇 (hé, meaning cover), indicating the function of covering a container.
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Gài (fourth tone) and Gě (third tone for some dialects or special usages)
3. Meaning
The core meaning of "盖" (gài) is "to cover" or "lid". It also has extended meanings related to building or constructing something, as well as serving as a verb suffix or modal particle in certain contexts.
Main Meanings:
- Cover; lid (盖子 - gài zi)
- Build; construct (建造 - jiàn zào; 盖房子 - gài fáng zi)
- Overlay; put on top (覆盖 - fù gài)
- Be covered with (盖满 - gài mǎn)
- Verb suffix or modal particle (表示推测或肯定 - biǎo shì tuī cè huò kěn dìng)
4. Common Words
- 盖子 (gài zi) - Lid; cover
Example: 请把杯子的盖子盖上。(Qǐng bǎ bēizi de gàizi gài shàng.) - Please put the lid on the cup. - 覆盖 (fù gài) - To cover; to overlay
Example: 大雪覆盖了整个城市。(Dà xuě fùgài le zhěnggè chéngshì.) - Heavy snow covered the entire city. - 盖房子 (gài fáng zi) - To build a house
Example: 他们正在老家盖房子。(Tāmen zhèngzài lǎojiā gài fángzi.) - They are building a house in their hometown. - 锅盖 (guō gài) - Pot lid
Example: 请把锅盖揭开。(Qǐng bǎ guōgài jiēkāi.) - Please lift the pot lid. - 掩盖 (yǎn gài) - To cover up; to conceal
Example: 不要掩盖事实真相。(Bùyào yǎngài shìshí zhēnxiàng.) - Don't cover up the truth.
5. Grammar & Usage
"盖" (gài) has multiple grammatical functions depending on its usage:
1. As a noun: lid; cover
When used as a noun, "盖" refers to a lid or cover for a container.
这瓶子的盖太紧了。(Zhè píngzi de gài tài jǐn le.) - The lid of this bottle is too tight.
锅盖掉在地上了。(Guōgài diào zài dìshang le.) - The pot lid fell on the ground.
2. As a verb: to cover; to build
When used as a verb, "盖" can mean either "to cover" something or "to build" something.
请盖好被子。(Qǐng gài hǎo bèizi.) - Please cover yourself with the quilt.
他们计划盖一座新学校。(Tāmen jìhuà gài yī zuò xīn xuéxiào.) - They plan to build a new school.
3. As a verb suffix or modal particle
In some contexts, "盖" can be used as a verb suffix or modal particle to indicate speculation or affirmation.
这事盖因他而起。(Zhè shì gài yīn tā ér qǐ.) - This matter is presumably caused by him.
此说盖非真也。(Cǐ shuō gài fēi zhēn yě.) - This statement is probably not true.
4. In compound words
"盖" is often used in compound words to express various meanings related to covering or building.
覆盖 (fù gài) - To cover; to overlay
翻盖 (fān gài) - To renovate; to rebuild
铺盖 (pū gài) - Bedding; to cover with bedding
6. Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, the character "盖" has several cultural connotations and usages:
1. Architectural significance
The verb form of "盖" (meaning "to build") is closely related to traditional Chinese architecture. Building a house is considered a significant event in Chinese culture, often involving family gatherings and celebrations. There are even special customs and rituals associated with the process of "盖房子" (gài fáng zi - building a house).
2. Symbolism of protection
The concept of "盖" as "covering" carries symbolic meaning related to protection and care. For example, parents are said to "盖被子" (gài bèizi - cover with a quilt) for their children, which represents parental care and protection.
3. Idiomatic expressions
"盖" is used in several Chinese idioms and set phrases:
- 欲盖弥彰 (yù gài mí zhāng) - The more one tries to hide, the more it becomes apparent
- 盖世无双 (gài shì wú shuāng) - Unparalleled; matchless
- 铺天盖地 (pū tiān gài dì) - Overwhelming; all-encompassing
4. Traditional medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a concept called "盖火" (gài huǒ), which refers to a treatment method involving covering a heated container with a cloth to allow the medicinal properties to be absorbed by the body.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
English: Please cover the pot with the lid.
Chinese: 请用锅盖把锅盖上。
Pinyin: Qǐng yòng guōgài bǎ guō gài shàng.
Example 2:
English: They are building a new library in the city center.
Chinese: 他们正在市中心盖一座新图书馆。
Pinyin: Tāmen zhèngzài shì zhōngxīn gài yī zuò xīn túshūguǎn.
Example 3:
English: The mountain is covered with snow all year round.
Chinese: 这座山终年被雪覆盖。
Pinyin: Zhè zuò shān zhōngnián bèi xuě fùgài.
8. Memory Tips
Tip 1: Break down the character
The character "盖" consists of three parts: 羊 (yáng, sheep) at the top, (a component) in the middle, and 皿 (mǐn, dish) at the bottom. You can think of it as "a sheep's skin covering a dish", which helps remember its core meaning of "to cover" or "lid".
Tip 2: Create a mnemonic
Imagine placing a lid (盖) on a dish (皿). The top part 羊 (sheep) could remind you of the shape or material of the lid, while the bottom part 皿 (dish) clearly shows what is being covered.
Tip 3: Associate with common objects
Practice associating "盖" with common objects that have lids or covers, such as cups, pots, bottles, and boxes. Whenever you see such an object, try to recall the character "盖".
Tip 4: Use hand gestures
Make a covering gesture with your hand while saying the character "盖" and its meaning "to cover". This kinesthetic association can help reinforce your memory.