Definition
保护伞 literally means 'protective umbrella', but in modern Chinese it is a metaphor for a person or organization that shields someone from consequences, often in corrupt, criminal, or political contexts — like a 'patron' or 'backer' who covers up wrongdoing. You cannot use it to mean a literal rain umbrella (that is 雨伞). The term frequently appears in news about corruption scandals (保护伞 under investigation) and carries a strong negative connotation.
n.
(figurative) protective umbrellapatron or backer who provides protectionespecially in corrupt or illegal contexts
Examples
- 保护伞。Zhège hēishèhuì tóumù yǒu zhèngzhì bǎo hù sǎn.This mafia boss has a political protective umbrella.
- 保护伞。Yǒurén huáiyí tā shì fǔbài fènzǐ de bǎo hù sǎn.Some suspect he is a protective umbrella for corrupt individuals.
- 保护伞。Lǎobǎixìng xūyào fǎlǜ zhè bǎ bǎo hù sǎn lái bǎohù zìjǐ.Common people need the law as a protective umbrella to protect themselves.
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