秘密
mìmì
The English word 'secret' is translated into Chinese as 秘密 (mìmì).
秘密 is the standard and most common way to express the concept of a 'secret' (hidden knowledge). While 秘密 is used for general secrets, more specialized terms exist for specific contexts: 机密 is used for official or governmental 'classified' information and 保密 is often used in professional or corporate settings to emphasize maintaining confidentiality.
Meaning: knowledge that is hidden (noun)
Which one should you use?
In English, the word 'secret' can function as both a noun and an adjective without changing its form. In Chinese, if you want to use the word as an adjective to modify a noun, you typically add the particle 的 to the noun 秘密.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as an adjective (for example, to say 'a secret mission'), you use the form 秘密的 by adding the particle 的 to the base noun.
How do you pronounce it?
mìmì
Did you know?
- To 'keep a secret' is often described as 守口如瓶, which literally translates to 'guarding one's mouth like a bottle'.
- In modern digital contexts, if you want to browse the web in 'secret' or 'incognito' mode, Chinese interfaces use the term 无痕 (wúhén), which literally means 'no trace'.
- The word 秘密 contains the character 密, which also refers to something being 'dense' or 'crowded', like a thick forest.
Examples in context
- 你不能有秘密。You can't keep a secret.This sentence shows how to use the noun 秘密.Tatoeba #5992380 by verdastelo9604, translation #3820920 by CK
- 它是我們的秘密。It was our secret.This sentence demonstrates the use of the noun 秘密.Tatoeba #6624680 by verdastelo9604, translation #2648490 by CK
- 他知道這個秘密。He knows the secret.This sentence illustrates the noun 秘密 in a sentence.Tatoeba #13753110 by LeviHighway, translation #302961 by CK
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are whispering in a cafe.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，我有一个秘密要告诉你。Wěi, wǒ yǒu yīgè mìmì yào gàosù nǐ.Wei, I have a secret to tell you.
- 伟 Wei是什么秘密？Shì shénme mìmì?What secret is it?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你千万不要说出去。Nǐ qiānwàn búyào shuō chūqù.You absolutely must not tell anyone.
- 伟 Wei放心吧，我会保密的。Fàngxīn ba, wǒ huì bǎomì de.Don't worry, I will keep it secret.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secret” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
