B2 noun Informal|neutral 1 min read

私信

si xin /sɨ˥ ɕin˥/
Practice it

Send or receive private messages on digital platforms, distinct from public posts.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Private message, send a private message.
  • Non-public communication on digital platforms.
  • Used for one-on-one or small group chats.

Overview

“私信”一词由“私”（私人的、不公开的）和“信”（信息、信件）组成，直接表明了其含义——私人的信息。在数字时代，它已经成为一种非常普遍的沟通方式，尤其是在社交网络和在线社区中。与传统的电子邮件不同，私信通常更即时、更便捷，并且常常与特定的平台（如微博、微信、Facebook、Twitter等）紧密关联。它为用户提供了一个相对私密的空间来分享信息、提问、讨论或建立联系，避免了信息被公众看到或干扰。

作为名词，“私信”指代的是信息本身，例如“我收到了一条私信”。作为动词，它表示发送私信的行为，例如“请私信我你的联系方式”。在实际使用中，人们常常会说“私聊”（sī liáo），意思与“私信”非常接近，但“私聊”更侧重于即时的、对话式的交流过程，而“私信”则更侧重于信息本身或发送信息这个动作。有时，“私信”也可以用来指代一个私人的消息盒子或收件箱，例如“检查你的私信”。

**工作和商务**：在一些协作平台或内部沟通工具中，也可能使用“私信”功能来传递非公开的工作信息。例如：“请把那个项目的细节私信给我。”

  1. 1私聊 (sī liáo)：与“私信”非常相似，都表示私下交流。但“私聊”更强调“聊天”的过程，即时性、互动性更强，通常指两人实时进行的对话。而“私信”可以指单条发送的信息，不一定需要立即得到回复，更侧重信息本身。

**悄悄话 (qiāo qiāo huà)**：指小声说的话，强调声音小和秘密性。它更常用于口语，表示要说一些不希望别人听到的秘密。与“私信”相比，“悄悄话”的物理界限更强，且不一定是通过电子设备。

  1. 1站内信 (zhàn nèi xìn)：特指在某个网站或平台内部系统发送的信息，通常用于通知、提醒或用户间的联系。它与“私信”类似，但“站内信”的范围可能更广，包括系统自动发送的通知，而“私信”通常是用户主动发给另一位用户的。

Examples

1

如果你对这个产品感兴趣，请随时给我发私信。

everyday

If you are interested in this product, feel free to send me a private message.

2

我已将会议详情通过内部系统私信给各位负责人。

formal

I have sent the meeting details to all responsible persons via private message through the internal system.

3

嘿，看到你发的那个猫咪照片超可爱！能私信我更多细节吗？

informal

Hey, saw the cat photo you posted, it's super cute! Can you DM me for more details?

4

研究人员可以通过私信联系作者，获取原始数据。

academic

Researchers can contact the author via private message to obtain the raw data.

Common Collocations

发私信 send a private message
收到私信 receive a private message
给...私信 private message someone
我的私信 my private messages

Common Phrases

请私信我

Please send me a private message.

我收到一条私信

I received a private message.

私信回复

Reply via private message.

Often Confused With

私信 vs 私聊

While both refer to private communication, '私信' (sī xìn) often implies sending a message (like a letter), which might not require an immediate response. '私聊' (sī liáo) emphasizes the act of chatting in real-time, suggesting a more interactive and immediate conversation.

私信 vs 公开评论

'公开评论' (gōng kāi píng lùn) means public comment, which is visible to everyone on a platform. '私信' is the opposite, intended for private communication visible only to the sender and recipient(s).

Grammar Patterns

（有人）给（有人）发私信 （有人）收到（有人）的私信 （有人）私信（有人）说/问/告诉...

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The term '私信' is predominantly used in digital communication contexts, such as social media, forums, and messaging apps. It functions as both a noun (the message itself) and a verb (the act of sending). While generally informal, it can appear in semi-formal business communication when referring to internal messaging systems.

Common Mistakes

Avoid using '私信' in highly formal written documents where 'email' or 'official letter' would be more appropriate. Also, be aware that the specific functionality (e.g., sending files) varies greatly between platforms.

Tips

💡

Respect Privacy in Private Messages

When sending a private message, be mindful of the recipient's privacy. Avoid sharing sensitive information unless necessary and agreed upon.

⚠️

Beware of Scams via Private Messages

Be cautious of unsolicited private messages, especially those asking for personal information or money, as they could be scams.

🌍

Digital Etiquette for Private Messages

In Chinese online culture, it's common to start a private message with a greeting and briefly state the reason for contacting, similar to initiating a polite conversation.

Word Origin

The term '私信' is a compound word formed from '私' (sī), meaning private or personal, and '信' (xìn), meaning letter or message. Its meaning directly reflects its function: a private message.

Cultural Context

In Chinese digital culture, sending a '私信' is a common way to initiate contact or discuss matters privately. It's generally polite to include a brief greeting and state the purpose of the message, especially when contacting someone for the first time.

Memory Tip

Think of '私信' as a 'private letter' (信) sent in a 'personal' (私) way through digital channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“私信”更侧重于发送一条私人的信息，可以是单向的，也可以是对话。而“私聊”则更强调实时的、一来一回的对话过程，互动性更强。

当你需要在社交媒体、论坛或其他在线平台上与某人进行不公开的交流时，可以使用“私信”。例如，分享个人信息、提问或进行不希望公开讨论的事务。

这取决于具体的平台。很多社交媒体和通讯应用允许用户通过私信功能发送图片、文件、语音消息等，但也有一些平台可能仅限于文本。

“私信”通常用于非正式或半正式的场合，尤其是在网络交流中。在非常正式的书面语境下，可能更倾向于使用“邮件”或“函件”。

Test Yourself

fill blank

如果你有任何问题，可以直接____我。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 私信

句意是在线平台上进行不公开的交流，因此“私信”最符合语境。

multiple choice

下列哪个选项最适合描述“给某人发送一条不希望别人看到的信息”？

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 发送私信

“发送私信”直接表达了发送私人信息的含义，符合题目要求。

sentence building

请用“私信”、“我”、“请”、“联系方式”组成一个句子。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 请私信我联系方式。

这个选项语序自然，表达了请求对方通过私信发送联系方式的意思。

Score: /3

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