Japanese word

秘訣

Pronunciation

Romajihiketsu

Meaning

  • nounsecret

Example

上手に話す秘訣は、よく聞くことです。jō zu ni hana su hi ketsu wa yo ku ki ku ko to de su

The secret to speaking well is listening carefully.

Illustration for 秘訣 (secret)

More examples

祖父が、庭の野菜を元気に育てる秘訣を教えてくれました。so fu ga niwa no ya sai o gen ki ni soda te ru hi ketsu o oshi e te ku re ma shi ta

My grandfather taught me the secret to growing healthy vegetables in his garden.

Core concept

Refers to the practical insight or method that makes success in a skill or activity possible.

Common phrases

  • 成功の秘訣sei kō no hi ketsu

    secret to success

  • 秘訣を教えるhi ketsu o oshi e ru

    teach the secret

Similar words

コツkotsu: A useful point or technique for doing something well.
要領yōryō: A way of doing something efficiently by grasping its main points.
極意gokui: The essential principle or technique behind mastery of an art or skill.
秘密himitsu: Information that is kept from other people and not openly shared.

Definition in Japanese

あることを上手に行い、成功するための大切な方法や要点。a ru ko to o jō zu ni okona i sei kō su ru ta me no tai setsu na hō hō ya yō ten

Word origin

秘訣 (hiketsu) is a Sino-Japanese word from Chinese 秘訣, combining 秘 (hi, "hidden") with 訣 (ketsu, "a secret formula").

Usage tips

  • Unlike 秘訣 (hiketsu), 秘密 (himitsu) usually denotes information kept from others, while 秘訣 denotes a method or insight for achieving a result.

Other meanings

  • keynoun

Word lists with this word