HSK 3.0 · LEVEL 4
保密
To keep something secret; to maintain confidentiality.
Free Chinese vocabulary flashcard · HSK 4
Why does 保密 look like this?
"保" consists of 亻(person) + 呆 (child). It originally showed a person carrying a baby on their back, representing "to protect" or "to keep." "密" consists of 宀 (roof) + 必 (certainly) + 山 (mountain), originally meaning a dense forest or a secluded place under a roof, now meaning "secret" or "confidential." Together, they mean to protect a secret!