jīmì: 机密 - Confidential, Secret, Classified

• Keywords: 机密, jīmì, Chinese for secret, confidential in Chinese, classified information, Chinese business secret, jimi meaning, what is 机密, 机密 vs 秘密, official secret, top secret.
• Summary: Discover the meaning and proper use of 机密 (jīmì), the essential Chinese word for “confidential” or “classified.” This guide explains how 机密 is used for high-stakes information in government, military, and business contexts. Learn the crucial difference between 机密 and the more personal term 秘密 (mìmì) to speak and write with greater accuracy and formality.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jīmì
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: Relating to important, secret matters of a state, organization, or other official body.
• In a Nutshell: 机密 (jīmì) is the word for secrets that have serious, official weight. Think of government documents stamped “TOP SECRET,” a company's confidential R&D plans, or military strategies. It implies that the information is vital to an organization's functioning and that leaking it would have severe consequences. It's a formal and serious term, distinct from personal secrets.

• 机 (jī): This character often means “machine” or “opportunity.” Here, it carries the sense of a “crucial point,” “mechanism,” or “pivot.” It points to something of central importance to an operation or system.
• 密 (mì): This character means “dense,” “close,” or “secret.” It evokes the image of something sealed tightly with no gaps for information to escape.
• Together, 机密 (jīmì) literally translates to a “crucial secret” or “pivotal and sealed.” The combination emphasizes that the information isn't just a simple secret, but one of strategic and organizational importance that must be protected.

In Chinese culture, particularly in official and corporate spheres, there is a strong emphasis on hierarchy and the controlled flow of information. The term 机密 (jīmì) reflects this reality. It's not just a descriptor; it's a formal classification that carries legal and social force. Compared to the English word “confidential,” 机密 is much more specific and carries greater weight. In the West, one might say, “This conversation between us is confidential,” to imply trust. In Chinese, using 机密 in that context would be strange and overly dramatic. 机密 almost always refers to information belonging to an entity—a government, a military unit, or a corporation. Leaking a 机密 is not just a breach of privacy; it's often seen as a betrayal of the collective and can have legal ramifications, tying into the cultural value of protecting group interests.

The use of 机密 is almost exclusively formal and institutional.

• Government and Military: This is the most common context. You will see it stamped on documents, used in official reports, and referenced in laws regarding national security. For example, a `机密文件` (jīmì wénjiàn) is a “classified document.”
• Business and Corporate: Companies use 机密 to refer to trade secrets, sensitive financial data, upcoming product plans, and client lists. A `商业机密` (shāngyè jīmì) is a “business/trade secret,” and protecting it is a serious legal matter.
• Never for Personal Secrets: You would never use 机密 to describe a friend's surprise birthday party or a personal crush. For that, you use `秘密` (mìmì). Using 机密 for a personal matter would sound like you're either joking or a spy in a movie.

• Example 1:
  • 这份文件是机密，请妥善保管。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn shì jīmì, qǐng tuǒshàn bǎoguǎn.
  • English: This document is confidential, please keep it safe.
  • Analysis: Here, 机密 is used as an adjective to classify the `文件` (wénjiàn - document). This is a very common and direct usage in an office or government setting.
• Example 2:
  • 他因为泄露公司机密而被解雇了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi xièlòu gōngsī jīmì ér bèi jiěgù le.
  • English: He was fired for leaking company secrets.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 机密 functions as a noun, meaning “confidential information” or “secrets.” `泄露` (xièlòu) is the verb “to leak,” which is often paired with 机密.
• Example 3:
  • 这是一个机密会议，所有手机都必须关机。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yī gè jīmì huìyì, suǒyǒu shǒujī dōu bìxū guānjī.
  • English: This is a confidential meeting; all mobile phones must be turned off.
  • Analysis: 机密 modifies `会议` (huìyì - meeting), clearly setting a formal and serious tone. The instruction that follows reinforces the seriousness.
• Example 4:
  • 保护商业机密对公司的生存至关重要。
  • Pinyin: Bǎohù shāngyè jīmì duì gōngsī de shēngcún zhìguān zhòngyào.
  • English: Protecting business secrets is vital to the company's survival.
  • Analysis: This example shows the common collocation `商业机密` (shāngyè jīmì - business secrets). `保护` (bǎohù - to protect) is another verb frequently used with 机密.
• Example 5:
  • 军事行动的细节属于国家最高机密。
  • Pinyin: Jūnshì xíngdòng de xìjié shǔyú guójiā zuìgāo jīmì.
  • English: The details of the military operation are considered the nation's highest secret.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the concept of levels of secrecy. `最高机密` (zuìgāo jīmì) means “top secret” or “highest level of secrecy.”
• Example 6:
  • 在签署保密协议之前，我们不能讨论任何机密信息。
  • Pinyin: Zài qiānshǔ bǎomì xiéyì zhīqián, wǒmen bùnéng tǎolùn rènhé jīmì xìnxī.
  • English: Before signing the non-disclosure agreement, we cannot discuss any confidential information.
  • Analysis: A perfect example from a business negotiation. 机密 modifies `信息` (xìnxī - information), creating the phrase “confidential information.”
• Example 7:
  • 这个项目的核心技术是我们的机密。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de héxīn jìshù shì wǒmen de jīmì.
  • English: The core technology of this project is our secret.
  • Analysis: Used as a noun. It clearly frames the “core technology” not just as proprietary, but as a high-stakes, protected secret of the organization.
• Example 8:
  • 任何处理机密文件的人员都必须经过安全审查。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé chǔlǐ jīmì wénjiàn de rényuán dōu bìxū jīngguò ānquán shěnchá.
  • English: Any personnel who handle confidential documents must undergo a security check.
  • Analysis: This shows how the concept of 机密 is operationalized within an organization, linking it to procedures like `安全审查` (ānquán shěnchá - security check).
• Example 9:
  • 他在机密部门工作，从不谈论自己的工作内容。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài jīmì bùmén gōngzuò, cóngbù tánlùn zìjǐ de gōngzuò nèiróng.
  • English: He works in a classified department and never discusses the content of his work.
  • Analysis: Here, 机密 describes a `部门` (bùmén - department), indicating that the entire department's work is confidential.
• Example 10:
  • 泄露国家机密是严重的违法行为。
  • Pinyin: Xièlòu guójiā jīmì shì yánzhòng de wéifǎ xíngwéi.
  • English: Leaking state secrets is a serious illegal act.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the legal gravity associated with 机密, especially in a national context. `违法行为` (wéifǎ xíngwéi) means “illegal act.”

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 机密 (jīmì) with 秘密 (mìmì). They both translate to “secret,” but their usage is completely different.

• 机密 (jīmì): Institutional Secret. Use this for official, organizational, high-stakes secrets. Think “classified,” “confidential.”
  • Context: Government, military, corporate strategy, R&D.
  • Feeling: Formal, serious, heavy.
• 秘密 (mìmì): Personal or General Secret. Use this for personal secrets, surprises, or any secret that isn't tied to an institution. Think “a secret.”
  • Context: A surprise party, a personal feeling, a private story.
  • Feeling: Can be serious, but also playful, mysterious, or casual.

Incorrect Usage Example:

“I'm planning a surprise party for my friend, it's a big secret!”
Incorrect: 我在给我朋友准备一个惊喜派对，这是一个大机密。 (Wǒ zài gěi wǒ péngyou zhǔnbèi yī gè jīngxǐ pàiduì, zhè shì yī gè dà jīmì.)
Why it's wrong: This sounds absurdly formal and serious, as if the birthday party is a matter of national security.
Correct: 我在给我朋友准备一个惊喜派对，这是一个大秘密。 (Wǒ zài gěi wǒ péngyou zhǔnbèi yī gè jīngxǐ pàiduì, zhè shì yī gè dà mìmì.)

Rule of Thumb: If the secret belongs to a person, use `秘密`. If it belongs to an organization or state, use `机密`.

• 秘密 (mìmì) - The direct counterpart to `机密`. It refers to personal or general secrets and is the most important term to distinguish from `机密`.
• 保密 (bǎomì) - A verb meaning “to maintain secrecy” or “to keep something confidential.” You `保密` a `机密`.
• 绝密 (juémì) - An adjective meaning “top secret.” It is a higher level of classification than `机密`.
• 泄露 (xièlòu) - A verb meaning “to leak” or “to divulge.” This is the action that breaches a secret.
• 情报 (qíngbào) - A noun for “intelligence” (like spy or military intelligence). This type of information is almost always `机密`.
• 隐私 (yǐnsī) - A noun for “(personal) privacy.” This relates to an individual's right to keep their personal life and information private, distinct from an organization's secrets.
• 商业秘密 (shāngyè mìmì) - A noun for “business/trade secret.” While it uses the character `密` from `秘密`, the concept is a formal, legal one that falls under the umbrella of `机密` information in a corporate context.
• 机要 (jīyào) - An adjective meaning “secret and important,” very similar to `机密`. Often used to describe confidential documents (`机要文件`) or secretaries (`机要秘书`).