Usage and Nuances
The verb 瞒 (mán) means 'to hide' or 'to deceive by withholding information.' It often implies intentionally keeping something secret from others, especially to avoid trouble or conflict.
Common Collocations
- 瞒着 (mán zhe): to hide something from someone, often used with people like family or friends.
- 瞒不住 (mán bù zhù): cannot hide or conceal, often used when the truth is about to be revealed.
Pragmatic Notes
When using 瞒, the speaker usually implies a deliberate act of concealment, often with a negative connotation such as dishonesty or secrecy. It is common in everyday speech when discussing secrets or lies.
Contrast
Unlike 隐藏 (yǐncáng), which can mean to hide physically or abstractly without necessarily implying deceit, 瞒 specifically involves hiding information from someone, often with an intent to deceive or avoid disclosure.