HSK · Level 63
105 words
Chinese word
泄密
Pronunciation
Pinyinxiè mì
Meaning
- verbleak a secret
Example
他故意泄密了。tā gù yì xiè mì le
He deliberately leaked the secret.
More examples
机密文件被内部人员泄密，公司立即启动调查。jī mì wén jiàn bèi nèi bù rén yuán xiè mì gōng sī lì jí qǐ dòng diào chá
The confidential file was leaked by internal staff, and the company immediately launched an investigation.
Core concept
A private secret crosses its barrier and reaches people who were not meant to know it.
Common phrases
不慎泄密bú shèn xiè mì
carelessly leak a secret
对外泄密duì wài xiè mì
leak a secret to outsiders
内部人员泄密nèi bù rén yuán xiè mì
internal staff leak a secret
Similar words
透露tòu lù: Reveal information or thoughts by talking about them or showing them through actions.
泄露xiè lòu: Allow secret information to leak out and reach people outside its intended circle.
Definition in Chinese
使本来不该公开的秘密信息被他人获得或知道。shǐ běn lái bù gāi gōng kāi de mì mì xìn xī bèi tā rén huò dé huò zhī dào
Word origin
泄 (xiè, "let out") + 密 (mì, "secret") joins the movement of something escaping with the idea of secrecy, forming the meaning of exposing confidential information.
Usage tips
- In English, expose can describe many kinds of wrongdoing, whereas this Chinese verb specifically points to confidential information becoming known.