qíngbào: 情报 - Intelligence, Information (Strategic)
Quick Summary
Keywords: 情报, qingbao, Chinese for intelligence, Chinese for information, military intelligence in Chinese, spy information Chinese, what does qingbao mean, 情报 vs 信息, business intelligence in Chinese.
Summary: 情报 (qíngbào) is a crucial Chinese term meaning “intelligence” or strategic “information.” Unlike general information (信息, xìnxī), 情报 refers to valuable, often confidential data gathered for a specific purpose, such as in military, espionage, or business contexts. Learning to use 情报 correctly will help you sound more precise and understand its serious, high-stakes connotations in Chinese media and conversation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): qíng bào
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 6
Concise Definition: Intelligence; information, especially of a confidential or strategic nature.
In a Nutshell: Think of “intelligence” in the CIA or MI6 sense, not a person's smarts. 情报 (qíngbào) isn't the information you find on a train schedule or a restaurant menu. It's valuable, sought-after, and often secret information that gives one party an advantage over another, whether on the battlefield, in the boardroom, or in political negotiations.
Character Breakdown
情 (qíng): While this character most famously means “feeling” or “emotion,” in this context, it derives from its meaning in words like 情况 (qíngkuàng), which means “situation” or “circumstances.” So here, think of 情 as “the state of affairs.”
报 (bào): This character means “to report,” “to announce,” or a “report.” You see it in words like 报告 (bàogào) (a report) and 报纸 (bàozhǐ) (a newspaper).
How they combine: Literally, 情报 (qíngbào) means a “report on the situation.” This beautifully and logically combines to form the concept of “intelligence”—a structured report about the circumstances of a competitor or adversary.
Cultural Context and Significance
The concept of gathering crucial information on an adversary is deeply rooted in Chinese strategic thought, most famously articulated in Sun Tzu's “The Art of War” (孙子兵法, Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ). The classic line, “知己知彼，百战不殆” (zhī jǐ zhī bǐ, bǎi zhàn bù dài) — “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated” — is the philosophical foundation for why 情报 is so highly valued.
Comparison to Western Concepts: The most critical distinction is between 情报 (qíngbào) and the English word “information.” While we use “information” for everything, Chinese has a clearer divide.
情报 (qíngbào) is like “Intelligence” (with a capital “I”). It's analyzed, purposeful, and often secret. It implies a user (e.g., a general, a CEO) and a target (e.g., an enemy army, a market competitor).
信息 (xìnxī) is like “information” in its general sense. It's raw data, facts, messages, news. Your Wi-Fi password is 信息, not 情报. The launch codes for a missile are 情报. This distinction is crucial for advanced learners.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formal Contexts: This is the term's home turf. You will constantly hear it in news reports about international relations, military activities, and national security.
Example: 中央情报局 (Zhōngyāng Qíngbào Jú) - Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Business Contexts: The term 商业情报 (shāngyè qíngbào), or “business intelligence,” is common. This refers to gathering data on competitors, market trends, and consumer behavior to gain a competitive edge.
Informal & Humorous Use: Among friends, you might use 情报 in a slightly dramatic or joking way to mean “the scoop” or “the inside info.” For example, if you're trying to find out if a coworker is dating someone, you might jokingly ask a friend, “你有什么新情报吗？” (Nǐ yǒu shéme xīn qíngbào ma?) - “Got any new intel?” This usage is playful and invokes the “spy” connotation of the word.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
间谍的主要任务是搜集情报。
Pinyin: Jiàndié de zhǔyào rènwù shì sōují qíngbào.
English: The main task of a spy is to gather intelligence.
Analysis: This is the classic, textbook use of the word in an espionage context.
English: We need to conduct intelligence analysis on our competitors.
Analysis: A perfect example of business intelligence (商业情报, shāngyè qíngbào).
Example 3:
这份情报的可靠性有待证实。
Pinyin: Zhè fèn qíngbào de kěkàoxìng yǒudài zhèngshí.
English: The reliability of this piece of intelligence has yet to be confirmed.
Analysis: Highlights that 情报 is not always factual and needs verification. `份 (fèn)` is a common measure word for documents and reports, including intelligence.
English: Do you have any “intel” (inside information) on the new manager?
Analysis: This is the informal, humorous use of the word among friends or colleagues to mean “gossip” or “the scoop.”
Example 8:
保护国家的军事情报至关重要。
Pinyin: Bǎohù guójiā de jūnshì qíngbào zhìguān zhòngyào.
English: Protecting the nation's military intelligence is critically important.
Analysis: `军事 (jūnshì)` means “military,” a very common word paired with 情报.
Example 9:
他们的成功归功于准确的市场情报。
Pinyin: Tāmen de chénggōng guīgōng yú zhǔnquè de shìchǎng qíngbào.
English: Their success is attributed to accurate market intelligence.
Analysis: Another clear business context, showing the positive outcome of good intelligence.
Example 10:
他负责情报工作已经二十多年了。
Pinyin: Tā fùzé qíngbào gōngzuò yǐjīng èrshí duō nián le.
English: He has been in charge of intelligence work for over twenty years.
Analysis: `情报工作 (qíngbào gōngzuò)` means “intelligence work,” referring to the profession itself.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The Biggest Mistake: Confusing 情报 (qíngbào) with 信息 (xìnxī).
English speakers often default to using 情报 when they mean “information” because “intelligence” can be a synonym in English. In Chinese, this is almost always wrong in daily life.
信息 (xìnxī) is for neutral, general, public, or everyday information.
情报 (qíngbào) is for strategic, secret, or analyzed information intended to provide an advantage.
Why it's wrong: This sounds like you're a spy asking for secret operational details about the train station. It's overly dramatic and incorrect. You're just asking for basic information.
Correct: 你能给我这个火车站的信息吗？ (Nǐ néng gěi wǒ zhège huǒchēzhàn de xìnxī ma?) - “Can you give me the information for this train station?”
Related Terms and Concepts
信息 (xìnxī) - The most important contrasting term. It means general “information,” data, or a message.
消息 (xiāoxi) - “News,” a “message,” or a “piece of information.” It's lighter than 情报 and often refers to something you've heard.
资料 (zīliào) - “Materials,” “data,” or “resources.” This refers to raw materials or documents you use for research or work.
间谍 (jiàndié) - A “spy.” The person who gathers 情报.
特工 (tègōng) - A “secret agent” or “special agent.” Often used interchangeably with 间谍 in popular culture.
情报局 (qíngbàojú) - An “intelligence agency” or “intelligence bureau” (e.g., the CIA).
分析 (fēnxī) - “To analyze.” A common verb used with 情报 (e.g., 分析情报, to analyze intelligence).
机密 (jīmì) - “Secret,” “confidential.” A common adjective used to describe 情报.