Table of Contents

wòdǐ: 卧底 - Undercover, Mole, Infiltrator

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

The concept of the 卧底 (wòdǐ) is a cornerstone of modern Chinese, particularly Hong Kong, pop culture. While the idea of an undercover operative exists worldwide, the term 卧底 is inextricably linked to the morally gray, high-stakes world of Hong Kong action cinema. The quintessential film is *Infernal Affairs* (《无间道》 Wújiān Dào), which profoundly shaped the modern understanding of the term. The film's Chinese title refers to the lowest level of Buddhist hell, a place of endless suffering, which serves as a metaphor for the psychological torment of the 卧底. He is trapped between two identities, belonging to neither the police nor the criminals, with his sense of self slowly eroding.

Practical Usage in Modern China

While its most famous context is crime dramas, 卧底 (wòdǐ) is used in various modern situations.

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes