Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Completely sealed, airtight, or extremely tight: Describes a state where something is shut, closed, or covered so thoroughly that nothing (like air, light, or sound) can pass through. It implies a very high degree of tightness or secrecy.
   • Very secretive or tight-lipped: Used figuratively to describe a person who is extremely discreet or secretive, not revealing any information.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Căn phòng đóng cửa kín mít. (The room had its doors shut tightly/completely sealed.)
  • Họ giữ bí mật kín mít về kế hoạch. (They kept the plan completely secret/under tight wraps.)
  • Chiếc hộp được đóng kín mít. (The box was sealed airtight.)

Advanced Usage

• "giữ kín mít": to keep something completely secret.

  • Anh ấy giữ kín mít thông tin cá nhân. (He keeps his personal information completely private.)

• "bịt kín mít": to cover or plug something very tightly.

  • Lỗ thông hơi đã bịt kín mít. (The vent has been plugged up tightly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kín (adj): closed, shut, secretive. This is the root word, while "kín mít" is an emphatic, intensified form.

  • cửa đóng kín (the door is shut)

• Bí mật (adj/n): secret. While "bí mật" means "secret," "kín mít" emphasizes the degree of secrecy (extremely secret).

  • cuộc họp bí mật (a secret meeting)

Synonyms

• Kín bưng (adj): completely sealed/closed (similar emphasis).
• Bảo mật tuyệt đối (phrase): absolute secrecy (more formal).
• Kín như bưng (idiomatic phrase): sealed tight as a drum (a common idiom with similar meaning).

Related Phrases

• Đóng kín mít: to shut/close something completely.

  • Cửa sổ được đóng kín mít để tránh gió. (The windows were shut tight to avoid the wind.)

• Che kín mít: to cover something completely.

  • Cô ấy che kín mít mặt bằng khăn choàng. (She covered her face completely with a scarf.)

Related Idioms

• Kín như hộp sữa bò: (Lit: Sealed like a milk carton) An idiom meaning extremely secretive or airtight.

  • Vụ án này được giữ kín như hộp sữa bò. (This case is kept under the tightest secrecy.)

• Kín tiếng: (Lit: tight/no sound) Means keeping quiet or discreet, often about news or information.

  • Công ty vẫn kín tiếng về vụ việc. (The company remains tight-lipped about the incident.)

1. Very tight
   • Đóng cửa sổ kín mít
     To shut one 's windows very tight