HSK 6, a, 11 strokes, radical 宀, rank #2736, Medium
mì(Mi4) T4
1name of an ancient state
2secret
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March 24, 2026
密mì(Mi4)
The character 密 (mì) primarily means 'secret' or 'confidential.' It can also refer to something that is 'dense' or 'thick,' often used in contexts such as describing materials or relationships that are close or intimate. This versatility makes it useful in both everyday and formal contexts.
Strokes11Radical宀Frequency#2736DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
The concept of 密 is significant in Chinese culture, especially in the context of personal relationships where trust and confidentiality are highly valued. For example, 密友 (mìyǒu) refers to a close friend, emphasizing the importance of close-knit social ties.
Memory Tip
Imagine a thick wall (密) that keeps secrets inside. The character's left side (宀) resembles a roof, suggesting safety and privacy, while the right side (密) can be thought of as a tightly woven network, symbolizing closeness and density.
Meanings of 密
mì(Mi4)
1name of an ancient state
2secret
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 密
密Simplified
11Strokes
宀Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2736Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 密
Podcast: 密
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AI Study Notes for 密
Quick Contrast
密 (mì, secret/dense) vs 厚 (hòu, thick) — use 密 when emphasizing confidentiality or secrecy, while 厚 focuses on physical thickness or depth.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a thick wall (密) that keeps secrets inside. The character's left side (宀) resembles a roof, suggesting safety and privacy, while the right side (密) can be thought of as a tightly woven network, symbolizing closeness and density.
Usage Notes
密 is often used in formal contexts when discussing confidential matters or personal relationships. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding words that relate to openness or clarity. Common collocations include 密码 (mìmǎ, password) and 密切 (mìqiè, close/intimate).
HSK Study Tips
Although 密 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of related terms. Focus on its use in expressions involving confidentiality and intimacy, as well as its application in describing physical properties.
Cultural Note
The concept of 密 is significant in Chinese culture, especially in the context of personal relationships where trust and confidentiality are highly valued. For example, 密友 (mìyǒu) refers to a close friend, emphasizing the importance of close-knit social ties.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 密 with 明 (míng), which means 'clear' or 'bright.' For example, saying '密关系' (mì guānxì) to mean 'clear relationship' is incorrect; it should be '密切关系' (mìqiè guānxì) to convey 'close relationship.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 密
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Grammar Patterns of 密
密 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
This is an impeccably researched and very readable book.
10
格雷姆·内史密斯创作了这张专辑十首歌中的两首。
gé léi mǔ· · nèi shǐ mì sī chuàng zuò le zhè zhāng zhuān jí shí shǒu gē zhōng de liǎng。
Graeme Naysmith has produced two of the ten tracks on this album.
Cultural Notes for 密
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of密 represents not just physical closeness but also the idea of secrecy and confidentiality, which are highly valued in personal relationships and business.
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 密 is significant in Chinese culture, especially in the context of personal relationships where trust and confidentiality are highly valued. For example, 密友 (mìyǒu) refers to a close friend, emphasizing the importance of close-knit social ties.
Word Family of 密
Compounds4
嘧mi4in chemistry, -mi as in pyramidine
樒
滵
蔤
Words Containing This Character20
秘密mìmìsecret
密码mìmǎsecret code密碼
密切mìqièclose
密mìsecret
亲密qīnmìintimate親密
保密bǎomìto maintain secrecy
紧密jǐnmìinseparably close緊密
密度mìdùdensity
迈阿密Miami (Florida)邁阿密
机密jīmìsecret機密
密集mìjíconcentrated
严密yánmìstrict嚴密
史密斯Smith (name)
密封mìfēngto seal up
密切相关closely related密切相關
加密to encrypt
精密jīngmìaccuracy
密室secret room
周密zhōumìcareful
密探secret agent
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 嘧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 密
Yes, 密 is used in several common phrases such as 密室 (mìshì), meaning secret room, and 密码 (mìmǎ), meaning password. These phrases often relate to concepts of secrecy or closeness.
Synonyms for 密 include 紧 (jǐn), which means tight or close, and 厚 (hòu), which means thick. Each of these words can be used in different contexts to convey similar meanings depending on the situation.
To use 密 in a sentence, you might say '这座城市的空气很密,' meaning 'The air in this city is very dense.' It can also be used in phrases like 密切关系 (mìqiè guānxi), which means 'close relationship.'
密 (mì) means close, thick, or dense in Chinese. It can also refer to a surname, Mi, and is associated with an ancient state. The character is often used in contexts describing closeness or density, such as密度 (mìdù), meaning density.
密 can refer to secrets or confidential information, like in 密信 (mìxìn, secret letter) or 密谈 (mìtán, secret talk).
Common phrases include 密切 (mìqiè, close) and 密码 (mìmǎ, password).
Generally, 密 is neutral, but in some contexts, it can imply secrecy that may be viewed negatively.
