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周密 (zhōu mì) — thorough, meticulous, careful (in planning, analysis, etc.)

Definition

Used for plans, investigations, and schemes that cover every detail. Stronger and more systematic than 仔细; closer to 细致 but emphasizes completeness of the overall design rather than fine-grained care in execution.

adjective
thoroughmeticulouscareful (in planning, analysis, etc.)

Examples

  • 周密，。
    Tā de jì huà fēi cháng zhōu mì, měi gè xì jié dōu kǎo lǜ dào le.
    His plan is very thorough; every detail has been considered.
  • 周密，。
    Jīng guò zhōu mì de diào chá, jǐng fāng zhǎo dào le zhèng jù.
    After a meticulous investigation, the police found the evidence.
  • 周密，。
    Zhè ge fāng àn bú gòu zhōu mì, hái xū yào xiū gǎi.
    This plan is not thorough enough; it still needs revision.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

周zhōucomplete
密mìclose

周 and 密 both suggest completeness and closeness, giving the sense of meticulous planning.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The oldest form of 周 drew a jade artifact with carved patterns. It was later borrowed for a place name, so an extra mark was added to distinguish it.

Open 周 →

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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Personality & Traits

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