潜 qián to hide
to hide; latent; hidden
How to remember 潜: 氵 water + 替 to change = to hide. At the pool party my cousin slips under the water and waits for the seeker to change direction, the perfect way to hide.
Component breakdown
潜 = 氵 water + 替 to change
- 氵 water
- 替 to change
At the pool party my cousin slips under the water and waits for the seeker to change direction, the perfect way to hide.
How it is used
- To submerge/hide, hence hidden/latent - 潜水 (qiánshuǐ) to dive, 潜伏 (qiánfú) to lie in ambush/lie dormant.
- Big in 'latent/potential': 潜力 (qiánlì) potential, 潜能 (qiánnéng) latent ability, 潜在 (qiánzài) latent/underlying (潜在风险 latent risk).
- 潜心 (qiánxīn) = to devote oneself wholeheartedly (潜心研究 to immerse in research).
- Internet slang 潜水 = to lurk in a chat without posting.