保密
bǎo mì HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

公司要求员工对项目保密。
Gōngsī yāoqiú yuángōng duì xiàngmù bǎomì.
The company requires employees to keep the project secret.
我们必须保密这个重要信息。
Wǒmen bìxū bǎomì zhège zhòngyào xìnxī.
We must conceal this important information.
他发誓会保密我们的谈话。
Tā fāshì huì bǎomì wǒmen de tánhuà.
He swore to keep our conversation secret.
我们必须保密。
Wǒmen bìxū bǎomì.
We must keep it secret.
这个信息要保密。
Zhège xìnxī yào bǎomì.
This information needs to be confidential.

💡 Memory Tip

Break down the characters: 保 (bǎo) means 'to protect' or 'to keep,' and 密 (mì) means 'secret' or 'dense.' Think of it as 'protect the secret' to remember its meaning. Associate it with common phrases like '保密协议' (confidentiality agreement).

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is common in contexts like workplace agreements, personal secrets, government or corporate protocols, and instructions (e.g., '这件事一定要保密!' - 'This matter must be kept confidential!').

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a predicate verb (e.g., 我们要保密 - 'We must keep it secret') or in imperative sentences. Can be part of compound verbs like 保守秘密. In structures like 对...保密, meaning 'to keep something secret from someone' (e.g., 对他保密 - 'Keep it secret from him').

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, maintaining confidentiality is highly valued in professional and personal relationships, reflecting trust and responsibility. It's emphasized in contexts like business dealings, family matters, and government affairs, where discretion is seen as a virtue.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 隐瞒 (yǐnmán, 'to conceal,' often with a negative connotation of hiding the truth), but 保密 is more neutral and specifically about confidentiality for legitimate reasons. Differs from 秘密 (mìmì, a noun meaning 'secret'), which refers to the confidential thing itself.

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