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秘而不宣

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: mì ér bù xuān
  • English Translation: To keep something under wraps (keep secret and not make public)
  • Idiom Composition: 「秘」（Secret; to keep hidden）＋「而」（But; and yet (conjunction)）＋「不」（Not (negation)）＋「宣」（To announce; to make public; to declare）
  • Meaning: To intentionally keep a matter or information secret and refrain from disclosing it to the public. It implies knowing something but choosing not to say it.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「秘而不宣」 contains the following nuances:

  • Intentional Withholding: This idiom does not simply mean that information is unknown; it implies that the parties involved are exercising control over the information and choosing to withhold it for a reason.
  • Focus on the Act of Announcement: The structure 'Not (不) Announcing (宣)' emphasizes the avoidance of official disclosure or public knowledge, making it very common in formal or professional settings.

3. Usage

「秘而不宣」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Official Announcements and Plans: Used when governments, companies, or organizations have made a decision but are not yet ready to make it public. Common in news and business contexts.
    • Example:「关于新产品的发布日期，公司至今仍秘而不宣。」
      （The company is still keeping the launch date of the new product under wraps.）
  • Personal Matters or Surprises: Used for personal reasons, such as keeping a marriage, an illness, or a surprise party secret from others.
    • Example:「他对自己的病情秘而不宣，不想让家人担心。」
      （He kept his illness a secret because he didn't want his family to worry.）
  • Strategic Silence: Refers to strategic silence in negotiations or competitions to avoid showing one's hand to the opponent.
    • Example:「谈判双方对具体的协议内容都秘而不宣。」
      （Both parties in the negotiation have remained silent about the specific details of the agreement.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 政府对这项政策的具体细节暂时秘而不宣。
    （The government is currently keeping the specific details of this policy secret.）
  2. 虽然大家都很好奇，但他对获奖的原因始终秘而不宣。
    （Although everyone is curious, he has remained tight-lipped about the reason for his award.）
  3. 为了给观众惊喜，导演对电影结局秘而不宣。
    （To surprise the audience, the director is keeping the movie's ending a secret.）
  4. 这件事关系重大，我们必须秘而不宣。
    （This matter is of great importance; we must keep it strictly confidential.）
  5. 对于即将到来的人事变动，高层领导秘而不宣。
    （Regarding the upcoming personnel changes, the senior management is withholding the information.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • The idiom originates from the Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志) in the 'Biography of Lü Meng' (吕蒙传). The general Lü Meng (吕蒙) gave a secret strategy to Lu Su (鲁肃), who respected the advice and 'kept it secret without announcing it' (秘而不宣).
  • In modern usage, the term has expanded from political and military secrets to include marketing strategies, corporate secrets, and personal privacy. It is not necessarily a negative term; it often describes a prudent or cautious attitude while waiting for the right moment to speak.
  • A common writing error involves confusing the character 宣 (xuān, to announce) with 喧 (xuān, noisy). While they sound the same, using the latter would change the meaning entirely and make the idiom nonsensical.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

秘而不宣 (mì ér bù xuān) describes a situation where information is deliberately withheld from the public. It is used in various contexts, such as business product launches, political decisions, or major personal secrets. The focus is specifically on the act of withholding the 宣 (xuān), or 'announcement,' suggesting a strategic or intentional choice to refrain from publication rather than just passive secrecy.

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