Definitions

1. Adjective:

   • Not open; closed; sealed: Describes something that is shut, not allowing passage or visibility. This is the most basic meaning.
   • Secret; private; confidential: Describes something meant to be kept hidden from others, not for public knowledge.
   • Tight; dense; without gaps: Describes something arranged closely together, leaving no spaces, or something that is impermeable.

2. Adverb:

   • Tightly; securely: Used to describe the manner of closing or covering something.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Cửa đóng kín. (The door is closed tight.)
  • Đây là một cuộc họp kín. (This is a private meeting.)
  • Hàng cây mọc kín. (The trees grow densely.)

• Adverb:

  • Hãy đóng cửa kín vào. (Please close the door tightly.)

Advanced Usage

• "giữ kín": to keep secret.

  • Anh ấy giữ kín bí mật đó. (He kept that secret.)

• "kín đáo": discreet, prudent (often describing a person's careful behavior to avoid attention).

  • Cô ấy là một người rất kín đáo. (She is a very discreet person.)

• "kín mít": completely closed/sealed; also used figuratively to mean very secretive.

  • Căn phòng kín mít, không có cửa sổ. (The room is completely sealed, with no windows.)

• "kín như bưng" (idiomatic): extremely tight/secretive; impossible to find out about.

  • Thông tin về dự án được giữ kín như bưng. (Information about the project is kept under tight wraps.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bí mật (adj/n): Secret (more directly equivalent to "secret" as a concept).
• Kín tiếng (adj): Tight-lipped, not talking much about oneself or private matters.
• Kín cổng cao tường (idiom): Literally "closed gate, high walls"; describes a very private, secluded, and secure place.

Synonyms

• Đóng: closed, shut (focuses on the action).
• Bí mật: secret.
• Dày đặc: dense, thick (for describing arrangement).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Constructions)

• Che kín: to cover completely.

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

• Đậy kín: to lid/seal tightly.

  • Hãy đậy kín nắp hộp. (Please put the lid on the box tightly.)

Related Idioms

• "Miệng kín, họng sâu": Literally "tight mouth, deep throat"; describes someone who is very good at keeping secrets.
• "Kín như hũ nút": Similar to "kín như bưng"; means extremely secretive or airtight.

adj

1. secret; private
   • hội kín
     secret society
2. Tight
   • đóng kín
     to close tight