捉迷藏
zhuōmícáng
The English phrase "hide and seek" is translated into Chinese as 捉迷藏 (zhuōmícáng). Wiktionary also lists 迷藏 (mícáng).
Meaning: game (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 捉迷藏 | zhuōmícáng |
| 迷藏 | mícáng |
The term 捉迷藏 refers to the game of hide-and-seek. The full term is the standard way to refer to this specific game.
What does it mean word for word?
The word contains the character 藏 (cáng), which means to hide.
How do you pronounce it?
zhuōmícáng
Did you know?
- While 捉迷藏 is the standard name, you might hear children simply say 躲猫猫, which literally translates to 'hiding cats'.
- The character 捉 (zhuō) in 捉迷藏 literally means 'to catch' or 'to seize'. It is the same word used for catching a criminal or a thief.
- In some regions, the game is called 躲猫猫, a term that has become so common it is even used as a metaphor for 'playing games' or being evasive in adult conversation.
Examples in context
- 來玩捉迷藏吧！Let's play hide-and-seek!This sentence is useful for inviting others to play the game using the word 迷藏.Tatoeba #1227109 by tsayng, translation #1064354 by sundown
- Shh！不要出聲……我們現在捉迷藏，要搞的話快點找一個地方躲藏一邊了。Shh! Don't make a sound. We are playing hide-and-seek now. If you want to talk, go find somewhere else to hide.This sentence is useful for describing the act of playing the game using the word 迷藏.Tatoeba #4587881 by LeeSooHa, translation #4621950 by violetanka
- 孩子们正在玩躲猫猫。Children are playing hide and seek.
- 我们今天下午去公园捉迷藏。We are going to play hide and seek in the park this afternoon.
- 让我们来一局躲猫猫吧。Let's play a round of hide and seek.
- 谁来数数，我们一起躲起来。Who will count? Let's all hide together.
- 我终于找到你了！I finally found you!
- 小朋友們正在玩捉迷藏。Xiǎopéngyǒumen zhèngzài wán zhuōmícáng.The children are playing hide and seek.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to play in the park.
- 梓涵 Zihan伟，你想玩捉迷藏嗎？Wěi, nǐ xiǎng wán zhuōmízàng ma?Wei, do you want to play hide and seek?
- 伟 Wei好啊，誰先來數數？Hǎo a, shéi xiān lái shǔshǔ?Sure, who will count first?
- 梓涵 Zihan我來數，你快去躲起來。Wǒ lái shǔ, nǐ kuài qù duǒ qǐlái.I'll count, you go hide quickly.
- 伟 Wei沒問題，我馬上就消失！Méi wèntí, wǒ mǎshàng jiù xiāoshī!No problem, I'll disappear right now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hide and seek” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
