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March 24, 2026
秘书(秘書)mìshū(mi4shu1)
The word 秘书 (mìshū) means 'secretary' in Mandarin. It is commonly used to refer to someone who assists in administrative tasks, manages schedules, and handles correspondence in a professional setting. The term can apply to various contexts, such as corporate environments or government offices.
Frequency#3796DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the role of a 秘书 is highly respected, often associated with maintaining order and efficiency in the workplace. Secretaries in China are sometimes seen as the backbone of business operations, reflecting the value placed on teamwork and communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'secret' (秘) that someone writes down (书) in a diary. The character 秘书 visually combines the idea of keeping secrets with writing, helping you remember its meaning as a secretary who manages confidential information.
Meanings of 秘书
mìshū(mi4shu1)
1secretary
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 秘书
秘书Simplified
秘書Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3796Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 秘书
Podcast: 秘书
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AI Study Notes for 秘书
Quick Contrast
助理 (zhùlǐ) - use 秘书 (mìshū) when referring specifically to a secretary role with administrative duties, while 助理 (zhùlǐ) can refer to a broader assistant role that may not involve secretarial tasks.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'secret' (秘) that someone writes down (书) in a diary. The character 秘书 visually combines the idea of keeping secrets with writing, helping you remember its meaning as a secretary who manages confidential information.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the tone, as 'mi4' (秘) is pronounced with a fourth tone and 'shu1' (书) with a first tone. This word is generally used in formal contexts, like business meetings or professional settings, and is often collocated with terms like '助理' (assistant) or '办公室' (office).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 秘书 connects with vocabulary related to professions and workplaces. Focus on using it in sentences that describe job roles or responsibilities to reinforce your understanding of its context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the role of a 秘书 is highly respected, often associated with maintaining order and efficiency in the workplace. Secretaries in China are sometimes seen as the backbone of business operations, reflecting the value placed on teamwork and communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 秘书 with 书记 (shūjì), which means 'secretary of a political party.' For example, saying '我是一名书记' when you mean 'I'm a secretary' can lead to misunderstandings. Correct usage is '我是一名秘书'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 秘书
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Grammar Patterns of 秘书
秘书 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
把它扔进邮筒，要不然就让你的____发份传真。
Pop it in the post, or get your secretary to fax it.
Example Sentences for 秘书 (10)
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1
把它扔进邮筒，要不然就让你的秘书发份传真。
bǎ tā rēng jìn yóu tǒng， ， yào bù rán jiù ràng nǐ de mì shū fā fèn chuán。
Pop it in the post, or get your secretary to fax it.
This is Zhao Mindong. My secretary said you called.
Cultural Notes for 秘书
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the role of a 秘书 is highly respected, often associated with maintaining order and efficiency in the workplace. Secretaries in China are sometimes seen as the backbone of business operations, reflecting the value placed on teamwork and communication.
Frequently Asked Questions about 秘书
While both terms can refer to roles that assist others, 秘书 specifically denotes a secretary with a focus on administrative tasks, whereas 助理 (zhùlǐ) can refer to any kind of assistant.
You can say, '她是我的秘书' (Tā shì wǒ de mìshū), which translates to 'She is my secretary.'
It is primarily used in formal contexts, so using it informally might sound out of place.
