Meaning
秘密 refers to information that is hidden, private, or not meant to be shared with others. It can describe both the secret itself (noun) or something that has the quality of being secret or confidential (adjective). This is one of the most common words for expressing the concept of secrecy in everyday Mandarin.
Usage
Native speakers use 秘密 in both formal and informal contexts. As a noun, it's commonly paired with verbs like 保守 (to keep), 泄露 (to leak), or 揭开 (to reveal). As an adjective, it often modifies nouns like 文件 (documents) or 会议 (meeting). The word carries a neutral tone and can refer to anything from personal secrets to state secrets.
Examples
- 01你能为我保守这个秘密吗？?Can you keep this secret for me?
- 02这是公司的秘密文件，不能外传。, .This is the company's confidential document and cannot be shared externally.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个秘密
Common collocations
- 保守秘密to keep a secret
- 泄露秘密to leak a secret
- 秘密武器secret weapon
- 秘密会议secret meeting
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to concealment: 秘 originally meant 'mysterious' or 'hidden,' while 密 means 'dense' or 'tight,' suggesting something closed off from view. Together they reinforce the concept of something carefully hidden or protected.