verb / adjective HSK 5
Traditional 潛
to hide · to submerge · to dive · latent · hidden · secret
Meaning
潜 describes something that is hidden beneath the surface, whether literally (diving underwater) or figuratively (hidden potential, secret activities). It carries the sense of being concealed, not immediately visible, or operating below the surface of awareness.
Usage
Most commonly appears in compound words rather than alone. Used for both physical submersion (潜水 diving) and abstract hidden qualities (潜力 potential, 潜在 latent). Often describes capabilities, dangers, or actions that are not openly visible.
Examples
- 01他有很大的潜力，只要努力就能成功。, .He has great potential; as long as he works hard, he can succeed.
- 02这些潜在的危险我们必须重视。.We must take these hidden dangers seriously.
Common collocations
- 潜意识subconscious
- 潜伏to hide, to lurk, to go undercover
- 潜移默化imperceptible influence, gradual change
- 潜逃to flee in secret, to abscond
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 潛 combines the water radical 氵(water) with 替 (to replace/substitute), suggesting something hidden beneath water or concealed from view.