shield; pretext
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
shield (a defensive weapon)
Originally a physical, handheld piece of armor used in ancient warfare. Now often used figuratively or in historical/literary contexts.
Shì士
bīng兵
yòng用
dùn盾
pái牌
dǎng挡
zhù住
le了
dí敌
rén人
de的
jiàn箭
。
The soldier blocked the enemy's arrow with a shield.
Bó博
wù物
guǎn馆
lǐ里
chén陈
liè列
zhe着
gǔ古
dài代
de的
qīng青
tóng铜
dùn盾
pái牌
。
Ancient bronze shields are on display in the museum.
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Qí骑
shì士
yī一
shǒu手
chí持
jiàn剑
，
yī一
shǒu手
zhí执
dùn盾
pái牌
。
The knight held a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.
noun
pretext; excuse; cover
A figurative meaning, referring to a reason or justification given to conceal the real intention or to avoid responsibility.
Tā他
zǒng总
shì是
ná拿
máng忙
dāng当
dùn盾
pái牌
，
jù拒
jué绝
cān参
jiā加
shè社
jiāo交
huó活
dòng动
。
He always uses being busy as an excuse to refuse to participate in social events.
Bié别
bǎ把
nǐ你
de的
jiàn健
kāng康
wèn问
tí题
dàng当
zuò作
táo逃
bì避
gōng工
zuò作
de的
dùn盾
pái牌
。
Don't use your health issues as a shield to avoid work.
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Tā他
nà那
xiē些
guān冠
miǎn冕
táng堂
huáng皇
de的
lǐ理
yóu由
bù不
guò过
shì是
yǎn掩
shì饰
zhēn真
shí实
mù目
dì的
de的
dùn盾
pái牌
。
His high-sounding reasons are nothing but a pretext to conceal his real purpose.