German word

Geheimnis

Pronunciation

IPA/gəˈhaɪ̯mnɪs/

Meaning

  • neuter nounsecret

Example

Er hat das Geheimnis nicht erzählt.

He didn't tell the secret.

Illustration for Geheimnis (secret)

More examples

Das Geheimnis macht die Geschichte spannend.

The secret makes the story exciting.

Core concept

A locked room suggests knowledge deliberately kept out of public view, whether it is a fact or an unexplained matter.

Common phrases

  • das Geheimnis bewahren

    keep a secret

  • ein Geheimnis preisgeben

    reveal a secret

  • ein Geheimnis aufdecken

    uncover a secret

Similar words

Privatsphäre: The state of keeping personal life and private matters free from interference.
Verschwiegenheit: The practice of keeping known information from being disclosed to others.
Geheimhaltung: Measures taken to prevent information from becoming public.
Vertraulichkeit: An expectation or agreement that information will be handled only by authorized people.

Definition in German

Information oder Sachverhalt, der vor anderen verborgen bleibt und dessen Kenntnis gezielt begrenzt wird.

Word origin

The noun Geheimnis developed from geheim with the German suffix -nis, creating a noun for something hidden or kept secret.

Usage tips

  • Common patterns include ein Geheimnis hüten or bewahren, ein Geheimnis verraten, and ein Geheimnis lüften.

Other meanings

  • secret to ___noun
  • mysterynoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word