§ What 保密 (bǎo mì) means
- Definition
- to keep secret; confidential
The Chinese word 保密 (bǎo mì) is a verb. It literally means 'to keep secret' or 'to maintain confidentiality'. You'll hear this word in many situations where information needs to be kept private, whether it's personal, professional, or related to official matters. It's an important word to know if you're working in a Chinese-speaking environment or dealing with any kind of sensitive information.
§ 保密 (bǎo mì) at Work
In the workplace, you'll often encounter 保密 (bǎo mì) when discussing company information, client data, or project details. It's common to hear about '保密协议' (bǎo mì xié yì), which means 'non-disclosure agreement' or 'confidentiality agreement'. This is a formal document that employees sign to commit to keeping certain information secret. For example, if you're working on a new product, your boss might remind everyone to keep the details confidential.
请对我们的新项目保密。
Translation hint: Please keep our new project confidential.
Another common phrase is '商业保密' (shāng yè bǎo mì), meaning 'business confidentiality' or 'trade secrets'. This refers to information that gives a company a competitive edge and must be protected.
§ 保密 (bǎo mì) in School
In academic settings, 保密 (bǎo mì) might come up when discussing research data, exam content, or personal student information. For instance, if you're involved in a research project, you might need to keep the preliminary findings confidential until they are officially published.
教授要求我们对实验结果保密。
Translation hint: The professor asked us to keep the experiment results confidential.
Also, if you're taking an exam, the instructions might include a reminder to keep the exam questions confidential, meaning you shouldn't share them with students who haven't taken the exam yet.
§ 保密 (bǎo mì) in the News and Daily Life
You'll also hear 保密 (bǎo mì) in news reports, especially when talking about investigations, government secrets, or personal privacy. For example, a news report might mention that certain details of a case are being kept confidential due to ongoing investigations.
警方决定对受害者的身份保密。
Translation hint: The police decided to keep the victim's identity confidential.
In daily conversation, someone might use it informally if they're sharing something private with you. They might say '你得帮我保密' (nǐ děi bāng wǒ bǎo mì), meaning 'You have to help me keep it a secret' or 'You have to keep it confidential for me'. It's a common way to emphasize the need for discretion.
When filling out forms or dealing with personal information, you might see statements like '您的个人信息将被严格保密' (nín de gè rén xìn xī jiāng bèi yán gé bǎo mì), meaning 'Your personal information will be kept strictly confidential'.
If you ask someone about a surprise party, they might respond with '这是秘密，要保密哦!' (zhè shì mì mì, yào bǎo mì ò!), which means 'It's a secret, keep it confidential!'
Understanding 保密 (bǎo mì) helps you navigate situations where discretion and privacy are important, making your communication in Chinese more accurate and appropriate. It's a practical word that reflects cultural norms around privacy and trust.
Fun Fact
The character '密' (mì) originally depicted a mountain with dense trees, implying something hidden or obscure.
Word Origin
From '保' (bǎo) meaning 'to protect, to keep' and '密' (mì) meaning 'secret, confidential'.
Original meaning: To protect a secret.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, ChineseCultural Context
<p>In Chinese culture, the concept of 'keeping secrets' can be very important, especially in professional or personal relationships where discretion is valued. It's often associated with trustworthiness and reliability.</p>
Test Yourself 42 questions
Write a short sentence saying you want to keep a secret. (Hint: I want to + 保密)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我想保密。
Write a sentence telling someone to keep a secret. (Hint: You need to + 保密)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
你需要保密。
Write a simple sentence about something being confidential. (Hint: This matter is + 保密)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这件事是保密的。
小明希望小红怎么做？ (What does Xiao Ming hope Xiao Hong will do?)
Read this passage:
小明有一个秘密。他对小红说：“这件事请你保密。” 小红答应了。
小明希望小红怎么做？ (What does Xiao Ming hope Xiao Hong will do?)
文章中说小明对小红说：“这件事请你保密。” 这表示小明希望小红保守秘密。
文章中说小明对小红说：“这件事请你保密。” 这表示小明希望小红保守秘密。
老板要求大家做什么？ (What does the boss ask everyone to do?)
Read this passage:
办公室里有一个很重要的消息，老板说：“大家都要保密。”
老板要求大家做什么？ (What does the boss ask everyone to do?)
文章中老板说：“大家都要保密。” 这表示老板要求大家保守秘密。
文章中老板说：“大家都要保密。” 这表示老板要求大家保守秘密。
说话人希望对方怎么做？ (What does the speaker hope the other person will do?)
Read this passage:
我告诉你一个秘密，请你一定要保密。
说话人希望对方怎么做？ (What does the speaker hope the other person will do?)
句子里说“请你一定要保密”，意思是不要告诉别人。
句子里说“请你一定要保密”，意思是不要告诉别人。
'请' (qǐng) means please, '保密' (bǎomì) means to keep secret, '这个' (zhège) means this, '消息' (xiāoxi) means news. The correct order is 'Please keep this news secret.'
'她' (tā) means she, '会' (huì) means will, '替' (tì) means for/on behalf of, '你' (nǐ) means you, '保密' (bǎomì) means to keep secret. The correct order is 'She will keep it secret for you.'
'我们' (wǒmen) means we, '需要' (xūyào) means need, '严格' (yángé) means strict, '保密' (bǎomì) means to keep secret. The correct order is 'We need to keep it strictly confidential.'
Choose the best word to complete the sentence: 我们必须为客户的个人信息______。
The sentence means 'We must ______ our client's personal information.' '保密 (bǎo mì)' means 'to keep secret' and fits the context perfectly.
Which of the following situations requires '保密 (bǎo mì)'?
The question asks which situation requires '保密 (bǎo mì)'. Keeping an important secret directly relates to the meaning of '保密'. Leaking company secrets is the opposite.
If something is '保密 (bǎo mì)', what should you NOT do?
If something is '保密 (bǎo mì)', it means it should be kept secret. Therefore, you should not tell others.
如果一个信息是保密的，你就可以和你的朋友分享。(rú guǒ yī gè xìn xī shì bǎo mì de, nǐ jiù kě yǐ hé nǐ de péng yǒu fēn xiǎng.) (If information is confidential, you can share it with your friends.)
If information is confidential (保密), it should not be shared with others.
在工作中，有些信息是需要严格保密的。(zài gōng zuò zhōng, yǒu xiē xìn xī shì xū yào yán gé bǎo mì de.) (In work, some information needs to be strictly kept confidential.)
This statement is true. In professional settings, certain information is often designated as confidential and requires strict secrecy.
我们不应该把保密的信息随便透露给别人。(wǒ men bù yīng gāi bǎ bǎo mì de xìn xī suí biàn tòu lù gěi bié rén.) (We should not casually disclose confidential information to others.)
This statement is true. To '保密 (bǎo mì)' means to keep something secret, so you should not casually disclose it.
Imagine you overheard a secret. Write a sentence telling a friend you'll keep it confidential. Use '保密'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
放心吧，我会替你保密的。(Don't worry, I will keep it secret for you.)
You are a detective. Write a short note to your partner emphasizing the importance of keeping investigation details '保密'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
请务必对这个案子的细节保密。(Please be sure to keep the details of this case confidential.)
You are making a promise. Write a sentence stating that you will keep something confidential. Use '保密'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我向你保证，我会严格保密。(I promise you, I will keep it strictly confidential.)
根据这段话，为什么大家需要保密这份文件？
Read this passage:
这份文件非常重要，请大家务必保密，不要泄露给任何人。如果信息被泄露，可能会造成严重的后果。
根据这段话，为什么大家需要保密这份文件？
文章中明确提到“如果信息被泄露，可能会造成严重的后果”，所以需要保密。
文章中明确提到“如果信息被泄露，可能会造成严重的后果”，所以需要保密。
小红为什么会答应小明保密？
Read this passage:
小明告诉了小红一个秘密，并让她一定要保密。小红答应了，她知道朋友之间的信任很重要。
小红为什么会答应小明保密？
文章中写道“小红答应了，她知道朋友之间的信任很重要”，这是她保密的原因。
文章中写道“小红答应了，她知道朋友之间的信任很重要”，这是她保密的原因。
根据这段话，员工对公司的商业秘密保密属于什么？
Read this passage:
在公司里，员工有义务对公司的商业秘密保密。这是职业道德的一部分。
根据这段话，员工对公司的商业秘密保密属于什么？
文章中明确指出“这是职业道德的一部分”，所以选择C。
文章中明确指出“这是职业道德的一部分”，所以选择C。
公司决定对新产品的发布日期严格___，以防竞争对手提前知晓。
这句话的意思是公司决定对新产品的发布日期严格保密，以防止竞争对手提前知道。'保密'最符合语境。
这份文件包含了很多商业机密，你必须___。
这里需要表达的是对商业机密的“保密”，因此“保密好”是正确的用法。
医生有义务为患者的病情___。
医生对患者病情有“保密”的义务，'保密'是一个动词，可以直接用在这里。
如果你告诉别人一个秘密，就意味着你正在保密。
如果你告诉别人一个秘密，你就没有在保密，而是透露了秘密。
在商业谈判中，对某些信息进行保密是很常见的做法。
在商业谈判中，为了保护商业利益，对某些信息进行保密是常见的。
政府官员应该对国家机密保密。
政府官员有责任对国家机密保密，这是他们的职责之一。
公司要求员工对客户资料严格___。
Context indicates that customer data needs to be kept secret. 保密 (bǎomì) means to keep secret or confidential. 保守 (bǎoshǒu) means conservative or to guard, 保持 (bǎochí) means to maintain, and 保证 (bǎozhèng) means to guarantee.
这项研究的细节在正式发布前必须___。
The phrase "在正式发布前" (before official release) suggests that the details should not be revealed. 保密 (bǎomì) fits this context perfectly. 公开 (gōngkāi) means to make public, 透露 (tòulù) means to disclose, and 讨论 (tǎolùn) means to discuss.
我们签署了协议，承诺对合作内容___。
Signing an agreement to keep cooperation content secret means agreeing to "保密" (bǎomì). 分享 (fēnxiǎng) means to share, 公布 (gōngbù) means to announce, and 记录 (jìlù) means to record.
他警告我们，会议内容___，不可外传。
The phrase "不可外传" (not to be spread outside) directly implies that the content should be kept secret. Therefore, 保密 (bǎomì) is the correct choice. 公开 (gōngkāi) means public, 私有 (sīyǒu) means private (as in ownership), and 重要 (zhòngyào) means important.
为了保护当事人隐私，调查结果将___处理。
To protect privacy, investigation results are handled confidentially. 保密 (bǎomì) means to keep secret or confidential. 公布 (gōngbù) and 公开 (gōngkāi) both mean to make public, and 详细 (xiángxì) means detailed.
请注意，这份文件包含高度___信息。
The phrase "高度___信息" (highly ___ information) suggests that the information is confidential. 保密 (bǎomì) means confidential. 敏感 (mǐngǎn) means sensitive, 重要 (zhòngyào) means important, and 私人 (sīrén) means private (personal). While 'sensitive' is close, 'confidential' directly reflects the need to keep it secret.
The research findings must be kept strictly confidential before publication.
I assure you, I will keep the contents of our conversation today confidential.
The company requires all employees to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect business secrets.
Read this aloud:
请你务必对这次任务的所有细节保密。
Focus: 务必 (wùbì)
You said:
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Read this aloud:
泄露国家机密是严重的罪行，因此我们必须严格保密。
Focus: 泄露 (xièlòu)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
作为一名医生，我必须对病人的隐私保密。
Focus: 隐私 (yǐnsī)
You said:
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/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Example
请对讨论内容严格保密。
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本事
A2Skill; ability; capability.
相应地
B1Correspondingly.
账号
A2account (e.g., bank, online)
客户经理
A2account manager
账户
B1A record of financial transactions for an individual or business, usually at a bank; or a user profile for a digital service.
会计
A2accounting, accountant
收购
B1To purchase; to acquire (a company).
商业活动
A2Business activity.
广告费
A2Advertising expenses.
调整
B1To change something slightly in order to make it more correct, effective, or suitable.
