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密码 (mì mǎ) — password; secret code; PIN

Definition

密码 is a secret code or PIN used to access a computer, account, or device — like a digital key. 口令 is a spoken password, e.g. used by a sentry, not typed.

noun
passwordsecret codePIN
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 密码。
    Qǐng gào sù wǒ nǐ de mì mǎ.
    Please tell me your password.
  • 密码，？
    Wǒ wàng le wǒ de mì mǎ, zěn me bàn?
    I forgot my password, what should I do?
  • 密码。
    Qǐng yòng mì mǎ dǎ kāi nǐ de diàn nǎo.
    Please use the password to open your computer.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

密mìsecret
码mǎcode

The 密 element means secret, while 码 refers to a code, so the word denotes a secret code or password.

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.

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 →

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 碼; 码 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shístone; rock
Sound part声符shēngfú
馬
馬mǎ碼mǎ
Same sound today

The traditional form 碼 pairs 石 (stone) with 馬 for its sound; the simplified 码 is a later shorthand.

Open 码 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 4HSK 2.0 Level 4Computers & Internet2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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