亲密

qīnmì

intimate

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The adjective 亲密 (qīnmì) describes a close, intimate relationship or connection between people or things. It often implies emotional closeness, trust, or physical proximity.

Common Contexts

  1. Relationships: Used to describe close friendships, family ties, or romantic relationships.
  2. Physical contact: Often used in health or safety contexts to warn about risks of close physical contact.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 亲密关系 (qīnmì guānxì): close relationship, often emotional or personal.
  • 亲密接触 (qīnmì jiēchù): close contact, especially physical contact.
  • 亲密朋友 (qīnmì péngyǒu): close/intimate friend.

Usage Notes

When using 亲密, the tone is generally warm and positive when referring to relationships. However, in contexts like health warnings, it can carry a cautionary nuance. Avoid confusing 亲密 with 亲切 (qīnqiè), which means kind or cordial but not necessarily close.

Summary

Use 亲密 to emphasize closeness and intimacy in relationships or interactions, whether emotional or physical. It is a formal and common word at HSK 6 level, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese.

Example Sentences

他们之间的关系非常亲密,经常一起出去玩。

Tāmen zhījiān de guānxì fēicháng qīnmì, jīngcháng yīqǐ chūqù wán.

Their relationship is very close; they often hang out together.

亲密接触可能会传播病毒,所以要注意防护。

Qīnmì jiēchù kěnéng huì chuánbò bìngdú, suǒyǐ yào zhùyì fánghù.

Close contact may spread the virus, so protection is necessary.

他们是多年的亲密朋友,彼此非常了解。

Tāmen shì duōnián de qīnmì péngyǒu, bǐcǐ fēicháng liǎojiě.

They have been close friends for many years and understand each other very