密码 from HSK Level 4 Vocabulary List

The Chinese word 密码 (mìmǎ) for "password" is a compound of two characters: 密 (mì), meaning "secret" or "confidential," and 码 (mǎ), meaning "code" or "cipher." The term 密码 is used to refer to a secret code or cipher that is used to encrypt or decrypt information. It is often used in the context of computer security and cryptography.The character 密 (mì) has a long history in Chinese, dating back to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE). It was originally used to refer to something that is hidden or concealed, and it has since been extended to mean "secret" or "confidential." The character 码 (mǎ) is also an ancient Chinese character, and it was originally used to refer to a tally or token. It has since been extended to mean "code" or "cipher."The compound word 密码 (mìmǎ) first appeared in the Chinese language in the 19th century. It was borrowed from the English word "password," which was first used in the 17th century. The Chinese term 密码 is now widely used in both spoken and written Chinese, and it is an important part of the Chinese language.