Definition
蛰伏 is a literary verb with two main senses: literally, animals hibernating or going into dormancy for the winter; and figuratively, people (or forces) hiding quietly, staying inactive while waiting for an opportunity. The figurative sense is common in political, military, and career contexts. Note that the everyday word for animal 'hibernation' is 冬眠 (dōngmián); 蛰伏 has a more formal, literary register.
v.
to hibernate (for animals)(figuratively) to lie lowto bide one's time
Examples
- ，蛰伏。Dōngtiān yí dào, xǔduō dòngwù jiù kāishǐ zhé fú le.As soon as winter arrives, many animals begin to hibernate.
- 蛰伏，。Tā zài gōngsī zhé fú le sān nián, zhōngyú děng dào le shēngzhí de jīhuì.He laid low at the company for three years and finally got a promotion opportunity.
- 蛰伏，。Díjūn zhé fú zài shùlín lǐ, děngdài jìngōng de mìnglìng.The enemy troops were concealed in the woods, awaiting the order to attack.
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