How to Say "Confidential" in Japanese

機密

kimitsu

The English word "confidential" is translated into Japanese as 機密 (kimitsu).

機密 is used to describe information that is meant to be kept secret within a certain circle, often implying that it is confidential or classified.

Meaning: meant to be kept secret within a certain circle (adj)

Which one should you use?

While 機密 is used for official, state or corporate secrets, 秘密 is used for more general or personal secrets.

kimitsu

The character 機 in 機密 originally referred to a weaving loom, but evolved to represent any complex mechanism or a critical opportunity.
In Japanese corporate culture, a leak of 機密 is often described using the verb 漏らす (morasu), which literally means 'to let liquid leak out'.
During the pandemic, the word 密 became part of the 'Three Cs' (three types of 'mitsu') to describe crowded, close-contact, and enclosed spaces.

彼の秘書は、機密情報は一切漏らしていないと明言した。
His secretary flatly denied leaking any confidential information.
This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 機密 when discussing the prevention of leaking information.
Tatoeba #116316 by KK_kaku_, translation #287353 by CM
この資料は機密情報です。
This document contains confidential information.
このプロジェクトは内密に進行しています。
This project is being conducted confidentially.
この話は秘密だよ。
This conversation is confidential.
これは内緒だから教えないでね。
This is confidential, so please don't tell anyone.
これは機密文書です。
Kore wa kimitsu bunsho desu.
This is a confidential document.
機密事項に触れないでください。
Kimitsu jikou ni furenaide kudasai.
Please do not touch upon confidential matters.

Yui and Ren are discussing a project in the office.

結衣 Yui

このファイルの中身は機密です。
Kono fairu no nakami wa kimitsu desu.
The contents of this file are confidential.
蓮 Ren

わかりました。誰にも見せません。
Wakarimashita. Dare ni mo misemasen.
I understand. I won't show it to anyone.
結衣 Yui

お願いします。蓮さんだけが管理してください。
Onegaishimasu. Ren-san dake ga kanri shite kudasai.
Please. Only you, Ren, should manage it.
蓮 Ren

了解しました。厳重に保管します。
Ryokai shimashita. Genjuu ni hokan shimasu.
Understood. I will keep it securely.

Sources

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