掩护

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Character Breakdown

Usage and Meaning

The word 掩护 (yǎn hù) primarily means to cover or protect someone or something, often in a physical or tactical sense. It is commonly used in military contexts where one person or group shields another from danger or attack. Beyond literal protection, it can also mean to shield or cover up mistakes or sensitive information.

Common Collocations

  • 掩护射击 (yǎnhù shèjī): covering fire, used in combat to protect advancing troops.
  • 掩护身份 (yǎnhù shēnfèn): to protect someone's identity, often used in journalism or confidential contexts.
  • 掩护错误 (yǎnhù cuòwù): to cover up mistakes, implying intentional protection or concealment.

Nuances and Usage Notes

When used in conversation, 掩护 often implies active protection or shielding, not just passive covering. It can be literal, such as using a shield or barrier, or figurative, such as protecting someone's reputation or information. It is a formal term and more common in written or formal spoken Chinese, especially in military, security, or professional contexts.

Avoid confusing 掩护 with simpler words like 保护 (bǎohù), which means to protect in a broader, more general sense. 掩护 often implies a tactical or strategic element of protection.

Example Sentences

The soldiers used shields to cover their teammates as they advanced.

He covered up his colleague’s mistake during the meeting.

Reporters need to protect the identity of their sources during interviews.