亲密 (qīn mì) — close; intimate

Definition

亲密 describes a deep, close bond, usually between people in a relationship or family. 亲近 emphasizes warmth and approachability; 亲热 focuses on affectionate behavior.

adjective
closeintimate

Examples

  • 亲密。
    Tā men shì yí duì hěn qīn mì de fū qī.
    They are a very close couple.
  • 亲密。
    Wǒ men zhī jiān de guān xì fēi cháng qīn mì.
    The relationship between us is very close.
  • 亲密。
    Tā qīn mì dì yōng bào le wǒ.
    She hugged me intimately.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

亲qīnintimate
密mìclose

亲 and 密 both suggest closeness, so together they describe an intimate relationship.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 親; 亲 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
見見jiànsee
Sound part声符shēngfú
辛
辛xīn親qīn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 親 uses 見 (see) for sense and 辛 (a chisel) for sound; the simplified 亲 is a shorthand and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 亲 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
山山shānmountain
Sound part声符shēngfú
宓
宓mì密mì
Same sound today

密 pairs 山 (mountain) with 宓 (mì), which gives the pronunciation, to picture something hidden in the mountains, hence secret.

Open 密 →
Appears in
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