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埋没 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
埋没máimòto engulfHSK 7, v, rank #20987, Hard
埋没máimòto buryHSK 7, v, rank #20987, Hard
埋没máimòto overlookHSK 7, v, rank #20987, Hard
埋没máimòto stifleHSK 7, v, rank #20987, Hard
埋没máimòto neglectHSK 7, v, rank #20987, Hard
埋没máimòto fall into oblivionHSK 7, v, rank #20987, Hard
máimò(mai2mo4) T2
  1. 1to engulf
  2. 2to bury
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March 24, 2026
埋没(埋沒)máimò(mai2mo4)

埋没 (mái mò) refers to the act of burying something physically or metaphorically, such as ideas or talents being overlooked or neglected. It can imply that valuable qualities or contributions are stifled or fall into oblivion due to lack of recognition or attention.

Frequency#20987DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of recognizing and nurturing talent is vital, often reflected in the sayings about not letting a good talent go to waste. The term 埋没 serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging contributions in both personal and professional settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a talented artist whose masterpieces are buried underground (埋) and forgotten (没). The character 埋 (mái) suggests 'to bury,' while 没 (mò) sounds like 'moat,' representing a barrier that keeps the artist's work hidden from view.

Meanings of 埋没

máimò(mai2mo4)
1to engulf
2to bury
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 埋没

埋没Simplified
埋沒Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#20987Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 埋没

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Podcast: 埋没

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AI Study Notes for 埋没

Quick Contrast

掩埋 (yǎn mái) - use 埋没 when emphasizing neglect or oversight, while 掩埋 focuses on the act of covering up.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a talented artist whose masterpieces are buried underground (埋) and forgotten (没). The character 埋 (mái) suggests 'to bury,' while 没 (mò) sounds like 'moat,' representing a barrier that keeps the artist's work hidden from view.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; the second character 没 (mò) must be pronounced with a falling tone. Common collocations include 埋没人才 (mái mò rén cái - to neglect talent) and 埋没机会 (mái mò jī huì - to overlook opportunities). This term is more formal and often used in written contexts.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 埋没 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to neglect and recognition. Students should focus on its usage in contexts involving career development and personal growth, as well as its antonyms, like 发掘 (fā jué - to excavate or discover).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of recognizing and nurturing talent is vital, often reflected in the sayings about not letting a good talent go to waste. The term 埋没 serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging contributions in both personal and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 埋没 with the similar-sounding 埋藏 (mái cáng - to bury). For example, saying '埋藏人才' instead of '埋没人才' would be incorrect, as 埋没 emphasizes neglect rather than simply burying.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 埋没

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Component Characters

máito bury
HSK 610 strokes
View full entry
méi(negative prefix for verbs)
HSK 17 strokes
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Write 埋没

Practice writing 埋没 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 埋没

埋没 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

她的舞台表演天赋在电影行业中被____了20年。

For two decades her theatrical talents were ignored by the film industry.

Example Sentences for 埋没 (2)

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1
她的舞台表演天赋在电影行业中被埋没了20年。

tā de wǔ tái biǎo yǎn tiān fù zài diàn yǐng háng yè zhōng bèi mái méi le20 20。

For two decades her theatrical talents were ignored by the film industry.
2
该镇被15英尺厚的大雪埋没了.

gāi zhèn bèi15 15 yīng chǐ hòu de dà xuě mái méi.

The town was buried under fifteen feet of snow.

Cultural Notes for 埋没

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of recognizing and nurturing talent is vital, often reflected in the sayings about not letting a good talent go to waste. The term 埋没 serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging contributions in both personal and professional settings.

Frequently Asked Questions about 埋没

Yes, while it is more common in formal contexts, you can use it in discussions about careers or personal development.