盖

• Pinyin: gài
• Hanzi breakdown: 盖 = 羊 (sheep, phonetic component) + 皿 (dish/vessel) — a lid placed over a vessel

Meaning

To cover; to build; to stamp. A versatile verb for placing something over or on top, constructing buildings, or applying a seal.

Has three main uses: (1) covering something with a lid, blanket, etc. (盖被子, cover with a blanket); (2) constructing buildings (盖房子, build a house); (3) stamping a seal (盖章, stamp a seal). As a noun, it can mean a lid or cover (瓶盖, bottle cap).

Examples

1. 天冷了，睡觉要盖好被子。 It's getting cold; make sure to cover up with a blanket when sleeping.
2. 村子里盖了很多新房子。 Many new houses have been built in the village.
3. 请你在这里盖一个章。 Please stamp a seal here.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, construction

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 把锅盖盖上，饭很快就好了。(Put the lid on the pot, and the rice will be ready soon.)
• 他们在这里盖了一座大楼。(They built a large building here.)

Don't Say

• 盖住你的声音 (Don't use 盖 for suppressing sounds — use 压住 or 盖过 (to drown out); 盖 alone means physically covering)

Origin & History

Originally depicted a lid (皿 vessel with a cover above). Extended meanings include covering, building (roofing a structure), and stamping a seal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal