In 15 Seconds
- Deliberately hiding information or the truth from others.
- Used for abstract facts, not physical objects like keys.
- Can range from small personal secrets to legal cover-ups.
Meaning
It means keeping a secret or hiding the truth from someone on purpose. It is like putting a lid on a fact you don't want others to see.
Key Examples
3 of 6A friend hiding a new relationship
你为什么要对他隐瞒你的新男朋友？
Why are you hiding your new boyfriend from him?
A doctor discussing a patient's history
病人不应该向医生隐瞒病史。
Patients should not hide their medical history from doctors.
Texting a friend who seems suspicious
别隐瞒了，快告诉我发生了什么！
Stop hiding it, tell me what happened already!
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Yǐnmán' is often tied to the tension between transparency and social harmony. While honesty is valued, there is a deep-rooted tradition of concealing negative news to avoid causing unnecessary worry or conflict within a family or organization. This is sometimes seen in medical contexts where families might hide a diagnosis from an elderly relative.
Don't hide your keys!
Remember, `隐瞒` is for information. If you lose your keys or hide a gift, use `藏` (cáng) instead.
The 'To' and 'From' flow
Use the pattern '对 (someone) 隐瞒 (something)'. It makes your Chinese sound very natural and fluent.
In 15 Seconds
- Deliberately hiding information or the truth from others.
- Used for abstract facts, not physical objects like keys.
- Can range from small personal secrets to legal cover-ups.
What It Means
隐瞒 is about intentional secrecy. It is not just forgetting to mention something. It is a deliberate choice to keep a fact hidden. Think of it as 'holding back' the truth. You use it when someone is hiding information they probably should share.
How To Use It
You usually follow it with the thing being hidden. For example, 隐瞒真相 (hide the truth) or 隐瞒事实 (hide the facts). You can also say 对他隐瞒 to mean 'hide it from him.' It is a very versatile verb. It works for big lies and small secrets alike.
When To Use It
Use it when the stakes are a bit higher. It fits perfectly in a police drama or a serious talk with a partner. If your friend didn't tell you they ate your leftovers, that is 隐瞒. If a company hides a mistake, that is also 隐瞒. It covers everything from sneaky snacks to corporate scandals.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for physical objects. If you hide your phone under a pillow, use 藏. 隐瞒 is only for information, feelings, or facts. Also, avoid it for simple privacy. If you just don't want to share your age, it is not always 隐瞒. That word implies you are keeping something back that matters.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, 'saving face' is huge. Sometimes people use 隐瞒 to protect others from bad news. This is called a 'white lie' or 善意的谎言. However, the word itself still carries a bit of a heavy, serious weight. It suggests a gap in trust that needs to be filled.
Common Variations
You will often see it paired with 真相 (the truth). Another common one is 隐瞒身份 (hiding one's identity). In legal contexts, you might hear 隐瞒犯罪 (concealing a crime). It is a 'serious' word, but it is used every day in news and gossip.
Usage Notes
It is a neutral-to-formal verb. It is most commonly used in the 'A 对 B 隐瞒 C' structure. Avoid using it for physical objects to prevent sounding like a textbook error.
Don't hide your keys!
Remember, `隐瞒` is for information. If you lose your keys or hide a gift, use `藏` (cáng) instead.
The 'To' and 'From' flow
Use the pattern '对 (someone) 隐瞒 (something)'. It makes your Chinese sound very natural and fluent.
The White Lie Culture
In China, `隐瞒` isn't always seen as 'evil.' Sometimes it's considered kind to hide bad news from elders to keep them happy.
Examples
6你为什么要对他隐瞒你的新男朋友？
Why are you hiding your new boyfriend from him?
Uses '对...隐瞒' structure for a personal secret.
病人不应该向医生隐瞒病史。
Patients should not hide their medical history from doctors.
A formal and serious advisory context.
别隐瞒了，快告诉我发生了什么！
Stop hiding it, tell me what happened already!
Short, punchy command for casual texting.
你隐瞒了你买了奶茶的事实！
You concealed the fact that you bought milk tea!
Using a serious word for a trivial thing for comedic effect.
你到底还隐瞒了多少秘密？
Just how many secrets are you still hiding?
High emotional stakes, questioning someone's honesty.
公司隐瞒了财务问题。
The company concealed its financial problems.
Formal usage regarding organizational transparency.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a secret.
他不应该向父母___考试不及格的事情。
Since 'failing an exam' is information/a fact, '隐瞒' is the correct choice for concealing it.
Which word fits best when talking about hiding the truth?
没有人可以永远___真相。
'真相' (the truth) is almost always paired with '隐瞒' when talking about a cover-up.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Yǐnmán'
Teasing a friend about a secret.
别隐瞒了！
General conversation about facts.
隐瞒真相是不对的。
Legal or business reporting.
隐瞒事实后果严重。
When to use 隐瞒
Family Secrets
Hiding a bad grade
Workplace
Hiding a project mistake
Relationships
Keeping a past secret
Legal/News
Concealing evidence
Practice Bank
2 exercises他不应该向父母___考试不及格的事情。
Since 'failing an exam' is information/a fact, '隐瞒' is the correct choice for concealing it.
没有人可以永远___真相。
'真相' (the truth) is almost always paired with '隐瞒' when talking about a cover-up.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 隐瞒 is strictly for abstract things like facts or feelings. For physical objects like a hidden treasure, use 藏 (cáng).
Usually, it has a negative vibe, but it can be neutral. For example, 隐瞒身份 (hiding identity) could be for a spy or a surprise party.
隐瞒 is withholding the truth (saying nothing), while 欺骗 (qīpiàn) is active lying or deceiving.
You should say 对我隐瞒. For example, 你对我隐瞒了什么？ (What are you hiding from me?)
Yes, it's very common! You'll hear it in dramas, news, and even when friends are gossiping about secrets.
Absolutely. It's used when discussing transparency, like 隐瞒成本 (concealing costs).
隐瞒真相 (yǐnmán zhēnxiàng) is the most common, meaning 'to hide the truth.'
Not at all. While it's a 'proper' word, friends use it all the time when someone is being secretive.
People might say 藏着掖着 (cángzhe yēzhe) for being unnecessarily secretive in a more colloquial way.
Yes, 隐瞒感情 means to hide your feelings or emotions from someone.
Related Phrases
隐藏 (To hide/conceal)
欺骗 (To deceive)
真相 (The truth)
秘密 (Secret)
坦白 (To confess/be frank)
