Learn a Chinese Character - 埋 (Mái/Mán - To bury; to hide; to cover up; to blame)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 土 (tǔ) - Earth/soil radical

Stroke Count: 10 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Mái (Second tone) meaning "to bury"; Mán (Second tone) meaning "to blame"

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: To bury; to hide; to cover up; to blame (depending on pronunciation)

4. Common Words

• 埋藏 (mái cáng) - To bury; to hide
• 埋葬 (mái zàng) - To bury (a corpse)
• 埋伏 (mái fú) - To ambush
• 埋怨 (mán yuàn) - To blame; to complain

5. Grammar & Usage

The verb "埋" has two main pronunciations with different meanings: as "mái," it means "to bury" or "to hide"; as "mán," it means "to blame" or "to complain." It is often used with objects.

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, burial has deep traditional significance. The character "埋" is associated with funeral customs and the respect for ancestors. The meaning of "hiding" or "covering up" also reflects cultural values of humility.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "埋" consists of the "土" (earth/soil) radical and "里" (inside). You can remember it as "something inside the earth," which represents the concept of burying or hiding something in the ground.