隐含 (yǐnhán) — to imply; implicit; to contain hidden meaning
HSK 5 | verb/adjective | to contain something hidden within; not explicitly stated
隐含 (yǐnhán)
隐含 describes something that is contained or implied within something else without being explicitly stated, and is used in analytical, literary, and philosophical contexts to discuss hidden meanings, assumptions, or implications.
Meanings
- [verb] to imply; to contain hidden meaning; to embed (an idea)
- [adjective] implicit; hidden; latent; unstated
Example Sentences
他的言辞表面平静，却隐含着深刻的批评。 Tā de yáncí biǎomiàn píngjìng, què yǐnhánzhe shēnkè de pīpíng. His words were calm on the surface but implicitly contained deep criticism.
这则广告隐含着对消费者的某种心理暗示。 Zhè zé guǎnggào yǐnhánzhe duì xiāofèizhě de mǒu zhǒng xīnlǐ ànshì. This advertisement implicitly contains a certain psychological suggestion directed at consumers.
条约文本中隐含着一些模糊条款，为将来的争议埋下了隐患。 Tiáoyuē wénběn zhōng yǐnhánzhe yīxiē móhú tiáokuǎn, wèi jiānglái de zhēngyì máixiàle yǐnhuàn. The treaty text contains some ambiguous clauses that have sown the seeds of future disputes.
文学作品往往隐含着作者对时代的深刻观察与反思。 Wénxué zuòpǐn wǎngwǎng yǐnhánzhe zuòzhě duì shídài de shēnkè guānchá yǔ fǎnsī. Literary works often implicitly contain the author's deep observations and reflections on the era.
他的问题表面上很友善，实际上隐含着强烈的挑衅意味。 Tā de wèntí biǎomiàn shàng hěn yǒushàn, shíjìshang yǐnhánzhe qiángliè de tiǎoxìn yìwèi. His question appeared very friendly on the surface but actually contained a strong provocative implication.
研究人员指出，这个算法的设计隐含着对某些群体的偏见。 Yánjiū rényuán zhǐchū, zhège suànfǎ de shèjì yǐnhánzhe duì mǒuxiē qúntǐ de piānjiàn. Researchers pointed out that the design of this algorithm implicitly contains bias toward certain groups.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 隐含意义 (yǐnhán yìyì) | implied meaning |
| 隐含假设 (yǐnhán jiǎshè) | implicit assumption |
| 隐含条件 (yǐnhán tiáojiàn) | implicit condition |
| 隐含偏见 (yǐnhán piānjiàn) | implicit bias |
| 深层隐含 (shēncéng yǐnhán) | deeply embedded/implied |
| 隐含风险 (yǐnhán fēngxiǎn) | implicit risk |
Usage Notes
隐含 is more formal and analytical than the everyday word 暗示 (ànshì, to hint/suggest). While 暗示 often describes a deliberate signal, 隐含 can refer to implications that the speaker may not be aware of, or meanings embedded in texts, systems, or data. It is common in academic writing and critical analysis.
Compare with 包含 (bāohán, to contain/include), which is neutral and explicit, and 蕴含 (yùnhán, to embody/contain deeply), which has a more philosophical or literary flavour. 隐含 specifically emphasises the hidden or unstated nature of what is contained.
Memory Hook
隐 (hidden/concealed) + 含 (to contain/hold in the mouth) = to hold something hidden inside.