Japanese word

秘密

Pronunciation

Romajihimitsu

Meaning

  • nounsecret

Example

これは私の秘密です。ko re wa watashi no hi mitsu de su

This is my secret.

Illustration for 秘密 (secret)

More examples

友だちの秘密を守ります。tomo da chi no hi mitsu o mamo ri ma su

I keep my friend's secret.

その秘密を友達に話してもいいですか。so no hi mitsu o tomo dachi ni hana shi te mo i i de su ka

May I tell my friend that secret?

Core concept

Describes information or knowledge deliberately kept from others rather than shared openly.

Common phrases

  • 秘密を守るhi mitsu o mamo ru

    keep a secret

  • 秘密を話すhi mitsu o hana su

    tell a secret

  • 秘密を漏らすhi mitsu o mo ra su

    leak a secret

Similar words

内緒naisho: Information deliberately not told to others, often in a casual conversation.
隠し事kakushigoto: A personal matter that someone chooses not to reveal.

Definition in Japanese

他人に知られないようにしている事柄。ta nin ni shi ra re na i yō ni shi te i ru koto gara

Word origin

秘密 (himitsu) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 秘 (hi, "hidden") and 密 (mitsu, "close" or "secret").

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 秘密 (himitsu) often has a playful or teasing tone when friends use it to withhold a small piece of information.

Opposites

Related words

  • 秘密性himitsuseiconfidentialitynoun
  • 秘密主義himitsushugisecrecynoun

Word lists with this word