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March 24, 2026
保密bǎomì(bao3mi4)
保密 (bǎomì) refers to the act of keeping information confidential or maintaining secrecy. It is commonly used in contexts such as business, government, or personal matters where sensitive information should not be disclosed. The nuance emphasizes the importance of discretion and the trust required to handle private information carefully.
Frequency#2264DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, keeping one's word and maintaining confidentiality is highly valued, especially in business relationships. The concept of 保密 goes beyond mere secrecy; it reflects deep trust and respect between parties.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'secret vault' where sensitive documents are kept hidden, and only trusted individuals can access them. The character 保 (bǎo) looks like a person guarding the entrance while 密 (mì) resembles tightly sealed doors, representing confidentiality. Together, they signify the act of guarding secrets.
Meanings of 保密
bǎomì(bao3mi4)
1to keep sth confidential
2to maintain secrecy
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 保密
保密Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2264Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 保密
Podcast: 保密
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AI Study Notes for 保密
Quick Contrast
秘密 (mìmì) refers to the secret itself, while 保密 (bǎomì) emphasizes the act of keeping that secret.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'secret vault' where sensitive documents are kept hidden, and only trusted individuals can access them. The character 保 (bǎo) looks like a person guarding the entrance while 密 (mì) resembles tightly sealed doors, representing confidentiality. Together, they signify the act of guarding secrets.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 保密 with similar terms like 秘密 (mìmì), which means 'secret' itself. 保密 is more about the action of keeping something secret rather than the secret itself. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in legal agreements or corporate policies.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 保密 connects with other words related to confidentiality and trust, such as 机密 (jīmì, confidential) and 信任 (xìnrèn, trust). Students should focus on understanding its application in various formal contexts and practice using it in sentences about privacy and security.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, keeping one's word and maintaining confidentiality is highly valued, especially in business relationships. The concept of 保密 goes beyond mere secrecy; it reflects deep trust and respect between parties.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 保密 to describe something that is merely 'hidden' rather than confidential. For example, saying '这件事保密' (This matter is hidden) is incorrect; it should be understood as '这件事需要保密' (This matter needs to be kept confidential).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 保密
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Grammar Patterns of 保密
保密 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). It carries 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
你的所有答复都将绝对____。
All your replies will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Example Sentences for 保密 (5)
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1
你的所有答复都将绝对保密。
nǐ de suǒ yǒu dá fù dū jiāng jué duì bǎo mì。
All your replies will be treated in the strictest confidence.
2
这位议员被控违反了保密规定。
zhè wèi yì yuán bèi kòng wéi fǎn le bǎo mì guī dìng。
The congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy rules.
The material consisted only of already published, unclassified information.
4
也许当你听我把话讲完后，你就会明白为什么要保密了。
yě xǔ dāng nǐ tīng wǒ bǎ huà jiǎng wán hòu， ， nǐ jiù huì míng bái wéi shí mó yào bǎo mì。
Perhaps, when you've heard me out, you'll appreciate the reason for secrecy.
5
为了姓名保密，书中的人用的都是化名。
wéi le xìng míng bǎo mì， ， shū zhōng de rén yòng de dū shì huà。
Names of people in the book were changed to preserve anonymity.
Cultural Notes for 保密
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, keeping one's word and maintaining confidentiality is highly valued, especially in business relationships. The concept of 保密 goes beyond mere secrecy; it reflects deep trust and respect between parties.
Frequently Asked Questions about 保密
保密 refers to the act of keeping information confidential, while 秘密 refers to the secret itself.
保密 is typically used in formal contexts, so it's better suited for business or legal discussions rather than casual chats.
You can say: '我们需要保密这个项目的细节' (We need to keep the details of this project confidential).
