秘密

• Pinyin: mì mì
• Hanzi breakdown: 秘 = 禾 (grain) + 必 (must, phonetic) — hidden, secret; 密 = 宀 (roof) + 必 (must) + 山 (mountain) — closely guarded

Meaning

Secret; confidential. Something that is kept hidden from others; or the adjective describing something as secret.

Functions as both a noun (a secret) and an adjective (secret, confidential). As a noun, it refers to information deliberately kept from others. As an adjective, it describes hidden activities or plans. Commonly used with 保守 (to keep), 泄露 (to leak), or 公开 (to make public). 秘密 is more neutral than 隐私 (privacy).

Examples

1. 这是我们之间的秘密，不要告诉别人。 This is a secret between us — don't tell anyone.
2. 她偷偷地进行着一项秘密计划。 She was secretly carrying out a secret plan.
3. 每个人心里都有一些不想说的秘密。 Everyone has some secrets they don't want to talk about.

Usage Guide

Context: personal, everyday, intrigue

Tone: hushed

Do Say

• 请你替我保守这个秘密。(Please keep this secret for me.)
• 他们秘密地准备了一场惊喜派对。(They secretly prepared a surprise party.)

Don't Say

• 这不是什么秘密的 — when using 秘密 as a predicate, say 不是什么秘密 (it's no secret); adding 的 at the end is awkward

Origin & History

秘 means 'secret' or 'hidden' and 密 means 'close' or 'tight.' Together they reinforce the idea of something tightly concealed.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal