Meaning and Usage
"埋伏" literally combines "埋" (to bury) and "伏" (to lie hidden), and it means "to ambush" or "to lie in wait secretly." It is often used in military or security contexts where someone hides to surprise an opponent or target.
Common Contexts
You will see "埋伏" used when describing soldiers or police hiding to catch enemies or criminals. It can also be used metaphorically for any situation where someone waits in secret to take action.
Collocations and Patterns
- 埋伏点 (ambush point): the location where the ambush is set.
- 埋伏行动 (ambush operation): the act of ambushing.
- 在...埋伏 (to ambush at...): specifying the place of ambush.
Usage Notes
"埋伏" is a formal and somewhat tactical term, not used for casual hiding. It implies a planned, strategic concealment with intent to surprise. Avoid confusing it with simple hiding verbs like "藏" or "躲."