Definition

Noun: 1. Code, cipher: A system of symbols, letters, or words used to represent others, especially for the purpose of keeping messages secret or for secure communication. It refers to the secret writing system itself. Example: "The spy used a complex mật mã to send messages." 2. (In computing) Password, PIN: A secret sequence of characters used to gain access to a system, account, or device. This is a common modern application of the concept. Example: "Don't share your banking mật mã with anyone."

Usage Examples

• (Diplomats often exchange information using a code.)
• (Cybercriminals try to steal credit card PINs.)
• (He works in the field of cryptanalysis [lit: analyzing and breaking codes].)

Advanced Usage

• "giải mật mã" / "phá mật mã": To decipher, to decode, to crack a code.
  • Máy tính giúp giải mật mã nhanh hơn. (Computers help decode faster.)
• "mật mã hóa": The process or action of encoding, encryption.
  • Mật mã hóa dữ liệu là cần thiết để bảo vệ thông tin cá nhân. (Encrypting data is necessary to protect personal information.)
• "khoa học mật mã": Cryptography (the science of codes).
  • Ngành khoa học mật mã rất quan trọng trong an ninh mạng. (The field of cryptography is very important in cybersecurity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mã (noun): Code, cipher. A more general term that can mean any system of symbols for communication (e.g., postal code, genetic code) and is not necessarily secret. "Mật mã" specifically implies secrecy.
• Mã hóa (verb): To encode, to encrypt. The action of converting information into a code.
• Giải mã (verb): To decode, to decrypt. The action of converting code back into understandable information.
• Mật khẩu (noun): Password. More commonly used than "mật mã" specifically for computer/account access codes.
• Mã số (noun): Code number, PIN. Often used interchangeably with "mật mã" for numeric secrets.

Synonyms

• Code: Mã (general), mật mã (secret).
• Cipher: Mật mã, mã ẩn.
• Password: Mật khẩu.
• PIN (Personal Identification Number): Mã PIN, mật mã số.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Bí mật như mật mã": (As) secret as a code; used to describe something very confidential or difficult to understand.
  • Kế hoạch của họ bí mật như mật mã. (Their plan is as secret as a code.)
• "Nói mật mã": To speak in code; to talk in a way that is deliberately obscure or only understandable to insiders.
  • Hai người đó cứ nói mật mã với nhau, chẳng ai hiểu gì cả. (Those two keep talking in code to each other; no one understands anything.)

noun

1. code, cipher