Have you ever had to keep a secret so tightly guarded that not even your best friend could pry it out of you? That’s the perfect moment for today’s idiom: 守口如瓶 (shǒu kǒu rú píng), which vividly translates to “keeping one’s mouth sealed like a bottle.”
Imagine a tightly corked bottle—nothing gets in, and nothing gets out. This idiom is all about maintaining absolute discretion, often in the face of intense curiosity or pressure.
We’ve all been in situations where someone entrusted us with sensitive information, and no matter how tempting it is to spill the beans, we have to lock it down and act as though we know nothing.
Whether it’s a friend’s secret, confidential work information, or even just a surprise party plan, 守口如瓶 captures that sense of self-control when silence is essential.
In this article, we’ll uncover the meaning, origins, and modern applications of 守口如瓶 so you can master the art of discretion in your own conversations. Let’s get to it!
Definition of 守口如瓶
Traditional Chinese: 守口如瓶
Simplified Chinese: 守口如瓶
Pinyin: shǒu kǒu rú píng
English Translation: “Keeping one’s mouth sealed like a bottle”
Definition: This idiom describes someone who is very good at keeping secrets and maintaining strict silence, often in situations where discretion is required. The image of a tightly sealed bottle suggests that nothing will escape—just as no words or secrets will leak out of the person’s mouth.
History of 守口如瓶
The idiom 守口如瓶 can be traced back to the “法苑珠林” (Fǎyuàn Zhūlín), a Buddhist encyclopedia compiled during the Tang dynasty. In Volume 47, under the section “Punishment for Mistakes” (過失罪), there is a passage that states: “Be on guard like a city, keep your mouth shut like a bottle”.
The phrase likens protecting one’s mouth from disclosing secrets to tightly sealing a bottle, which captures the essence of discretion.
This text also includes a deeper moral message: “Defend your mind like a city”, which means that safeguarding oneself against selfish desires is akin to defending a city from invaders.
In this context, both the mind and the mouth need discipline—one to resist temptation, and the other to avoid revealing unnecessary or harmful information. This concept of self-control, both in thought and speech, became the basis for the idiom 守口如瓶.
Over time, this imagery of a tightly sealed bottle became a powerful metaphor for silence and confidentiality, representing the ability to keep sensitive information secure under pressure. The idiom has since been passed down through generations and continues to be widely used today in contexts where discretion is paramount
Modern Usage of 守口如瓶
In modern Mandarin, 守口如瓶 is commonly used to describe individuals who are highly trustworthy and discreet, especially when it comes to keeping secrets or handling sensitive information.
This idiom is widely applicable in both personal and professional contexts where confidentiality is critical. For example, it might be used to praise a friend who can be relied upon to never reveal a secret, or in a work setting to describe someone who maintains strict confidentiality regarding business matters.
In Taiwan, 守口如瓶 is often heard when discussing situations where silence or discretion is required under pressure. Whether it’s a company keeping upcoming projects under wraps or someone managing sensitive personal information, this idiom conveys a sense of reliability and the ability to stay tight-lipped.
In media, politics, or corporate environments, where leaks of information can lead to serious consequences, someone who is able to 守口如瓶 is highly valued.
The idiom can also reflect a person’s character, highlighting their sense of responsibility when entrusted with others’ private matters. It is used as a compliment to describe those who can remain silent despite the temptation to gossip or reveal confidential information.
3 Example Sentences of 守口如瓶
- 老闆告訴他一個重要的商業秘密，他守口如瓶，連最親密的朋友都不知道。
- 他知道了朋友的私人問題，但他守口如瓶，沒有告訴任何人。
- 面對記者的提問，她守口如瓶，沒有透露公司即將推出的產品計劃。
- Lǎobǎn gàosù tā yí ge zhòngyào de shāngyè mìmì, tā shǒu kǒu rú píng, lián zuì qīnmì de péngyǒu dōu bù zhīdào.
- Tā zhīdàole péngyǒu de sīrén wèntí, dàn tā shǒu kǒu rú píng, méiyǒu gàosù rènhé rén.
- Miàn duì jìzhě de tíwèn, tā shǒu kǒu rú píng, méiyǒu tòulù gōngsī jíjiāng tuīchū de chǎnpǐn jìhuà.
- 老板告诉他一个重要的商业秘密，他守口如瓶，连最亲密的朋友都不知道。
- 他知道了朋友的私人问题，但他守口如瓶，没有告诉任何人。
- 面对记者的提问，她守口如瓶，没有透露公司即将推出的产品计划。
- The boss told him an important business secret, and he kept his mouth sealed, not even telling his closest friends.
- He knew about his friend’s personal problems, but he kept it completely confidential, telling no one.
- Faced with questions from the reporters, she remained silent and didn’t reveal any details about the company’s upcoming product launch.
Congratulations! You’ve just mastered another useful Chinese idiom—守口如瓶. Now, you know exactly how to describe someone who can keep a secret locked up like a sealed bottle.
This idiom not only enriches your vocabulary but also helps you appreciate the cultural emphasis on trust and discretion in Chinese communication.
Keep exploring more idioms to deepen your understanding of the language and culture. If you’re eager to learn more, why not check out this list of 20 useful idioms to expand your knowledge even further?
Keep up the great work, and stay curious in your language learning journey!
