若隐若现

若隱若現

ruòyǐn-ruòxiàn

idiom #34,907

Meanings

1 faintly visible, now seen now hidden
2 indistinct; hazy
3 flickering in and out of view

Characters

Examples

HSK 6

他话里的意思若隐若现，让人捉摸不透。

Tā huà lǐ de yìsi ruòyǐn-ruòxiàn, ràng rén zhuōmō bù tòu.

The meaning behind his words was vague and elusive, impossible to pin down.

HSK 7-9

远处的山峰在云雾中若隐若现。

Yuǎnchù de shānfēng zài yún wù zhōng ruòyǐn-ruòxiàn.

In the distance, the mountain peaks appear and disappear in the mist.

HSK 7-9

烛光下，她的身影若隐若现。

Zhúguāng xià, tā de shēnyǐng ruòyǐn-ruòxiàn.

In the candlelight, her figure faded in and out of sight.

Tips

history

Attested in Pu Songling's Qing-dynasty 聊斋志异·珠儿: 则见其若隐若现，恍惚如烟雾 - 'he saw her now visible now hidden, vague as mist.' Classic Liaozhai atmospheric writing.

usage

Used both for literal sights (mist, shadows, distant objects) and figurative meaning (hints, implications, elusive feelings). The 若...若... pattern means 'as if ... as if ...' - structurally 'as-if-hidden, as-if-visible'.

Stroke Order

若 ruò

隐 yǐn

现 xiàn