盖子

• Pinyin: gài zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 盖 = 艹 + 盍 (cover, lid); 子 = nominalising suffix (originally 'child')

Meaning

A lid; a cover; a cap. The removable top piece of a container such as a pot, jar, bottle, or box.

Used in both literal and figurative senses. Literally: 锅盖子 (pot lid), 瓶盖子 (bottle cap), 箱子盖子 (box lid). Figuratively: 揭开盖子 means to lift the lid — i.e., to expose something that has been hidden or suppressed, such as corruption, a scandal, or a cover-up. This figurative usage is common in investigative journalism, political discourse, and literary language.

Examples

1. 她拧开保温杯的盖子，倒出一杯冒着热气的绿茶，递给刚进门的客人。 She unscrewed the lid of the insulated cup, poured out a steaming cup of green tea, and handed it to the guest who had just come in.
2. 砂锅炖煮期间切勿频繁揭开盖子，否则热气散失过快，食材难以充分入味。 While the clay pot is simmering, don’t lift the lid repeatedly; otherwise the heat will escape too quickly and the flavors won’t fully soak into the ingredients.
3. 调查记者历时两年深入采访，终于揭开了这起金融丑闻背后层层掩盖的盖子。 After two years of in-depth reporting, the investigative journalist finally uncovered the layers of cover-up behind the financial scandal.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, cooking, journalism, figurative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 超市里的这款密封罐附带硅胶盖子，防漏效果极佳，非常适合存放干货和粉末状食品。(This sealed jar from the supermarket comes with a silicone lid that is excellent at preventing leaks, making it ideal for storing dried goods and powdery foods.)
• 相关部门多次试图压制舆论，但随着证据陆续曝光，这件丑闻的盖子终究还是被揭开了。(The relevant authorities repeatedly attempted to suppress public opinion, but as evidence gradually came to light, the lid on this scandal was ultimately lifted.)

Don't Say

• 他是个很好的盖子 — 盖子 refers to a physical lid or cover; it has no meaning as a description of a person's character; use 他是个好人 or other appropriate expressions

Origin & History

盖 (cover/lid) + 子 (nominalising suffix)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal