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March 24, 2026
间谍(間諜)jiàndié(jian4die2)
间谍 (jiàndié) refers to a person who secretly collects and reports information about the activities of an enemy or competitor. Commonly used in contexts involving military or corporate espionage, it can also refer to individuals involved in covert operations. The term carries a connotation of secrecy and deceit.
Frequency#1994DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of a spy is significant in Chinese history, with famous figures like Sun Tzu in 'The Art of War' discussing the importance of intelligence and deception in warfare. This reflects the long-standing value placed on strategy in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a secret agent slipping through a 'gap' (间) in a wall, wearing 'dye' (谍) to disguise themselves. The visual of a spy using clever tactics to blend in helps remember both the sound and meaning of the word.
Meanings of 间谍
jiàndié(jian4die2)
1spy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 间谍
间谍Simplified
間諜Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1994Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 间谍
Podcast: 间谍
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AI Study Notes for 间谍
Quick Contrast
间谍 (jiàndié) vs 特工 (tègōng) — use 间谍 when emphasizing secrecy and espionage, while 特工 refers to agents who may operate openly or in various capacities.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a secret agent slipping through a 'gap' (间) in a wall, wearing 'dye' (谍) to disguise themselves. The visual of a spy using clever tactics to blend in helps remember both the sound and meaning of the word.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 间谍 with other terms for 'agent' or 'informant'. It's important to note that 间谍 specifically implies espionage and secrecy. This term is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as news articles or discussions about intelligence.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 间谍 connects to vocabulary related to politics and security. Students should focus on using it in sentences about espionage or intelligence operations, while practicing its pronunciation and tone.
Cultural Note
The concept of a spy is significant in Chinese history, with famous figures like Sun Tzu in 'The Art of War' discussing the importance of intelligence and deception in warfare. This reflects the long-standing value placed on strategy in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mispronounce 间谍, confusing the tones. For example, they may say 'jiāndié' instead of 'jiàndié'. It's crucial to practice the correct tones to convey the right meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 间谍
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Grammar Patterns of 间谍
间谍 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
这是____罪，应判死刑。
It was a crime of espionage and carried the death penalty.
Example Sentences for 间谍 (5)
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1
这是间谍罪，应判死刑。
zhè shì jiān dié zuì， ， yīng pàn sǐ。
It was a crime of espionage and carried the death penalty.
2
该特工人员为东德做了20多年的间谍。
gāi tè gōng rén yuán wéi dōng dé zuò le20 20 duō nián de jiān。
The agent spied for East Germany for more than twenty years.
3
他被指控为英国间谍，入狱关押了5年。
tā bèi zhǐ kòng wéi yīng guó jiān dié， ， rù yù guān yā5 le。
He was jailed for five years as an alleged British spy.
4
那女间谍伪装成顾问工程师.
nà nǚ jiān dié wěi zhuāng chéng gù wèn gōng chéng shī.
The spy's cover was that she was a consultant engineer.
Klaus Fuchs and the Rosenbergs were unmasked as some of the nuclear spies.
Cultural Notes for 间谍
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of a spy is significant in Chinese history, with famous figures like Sun Tzu in 'The Art of War' discussing the importance of intelligence and deception in warfare. This reflects the long-standing value placed on strategy in Chinese culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 间谍
间谍 refers specifically to spies who engage in secret activities to gather information, while 情报员 (qíngbàoyuán) refers to intelligence officers who may not operate in secrecy.
Yes, it can also refer to corporate spies who gather confidential information about competitors.
间谍 is considered a formal term and is typically used in serious discussions or official reports.
