secret
/sə.kʁɛ/masculine
The English word "secret" is translated into French as secret.
The word secret is used to describe knowledge that is hidden. It can function as a masculine noun or as an adjective meaning being or kept hidden.
Meaning: knowledge that is hidden (noun)
Which one should you use?
When using the word as an adjective, it must agree with the noun it describes. While the masculine form is secret, the feminine form is secrète.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, you can form the plural by adding an 's' to get secrets. When used as an adjective, it follows gender agreement: use secret for masculine nouns and secrète for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/sə.kʁɛ/ (2 syllables)
Did you know?
- The French phrase c'est un secret de Polichinelle refers to a secret that is actually known by everyone.
- While 'secret' is the direct translation, if you want to describe something as 'top secret' in a professional or military context, French speakers often use the phrase secret défense.
- The French word secret is derived from the Latin sēcrētus, which literally means 'separated' or 'set apart'.
Examples in context
- Sami a un secret.Sami has a secret.Tatoeba #6673757 by GB3, translation #6672637 by OsoHombre
- Elle a un secret.She has a secret.Tatoeba #9083255 by Micsmithel, translation #8813612 by shekitten
- Il l'a gardé secret.He kept it secret.Tatoeba #131131 by Rovo, translation #291517 by CK
- C'est une information réservéeThis is confidential information.
- C'est un rapport confidentielIt's a confidential report.
- On a un secret à partagerWe have a secret to share.
- Elle fait des cachotteriesShe's up to something secretive.
- J'ai un secret à te révéler.I have a secret to reveal to you.
- Je te raconterai tout en cachette.I'll tell you everything in secret.
- 380 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are talking in a library.
- HugoJe peux te dire un secret ?Can I tell you a secret?
- ManonOui, je te promets de ne rien dire.Yes, I promise not to say anything.
- HugoC'est un secret très important.It is a very important secret.
- ManonTon secret est bien gardé avec moi.Your secret is safe with me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secret” translations and entries secret, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries secret, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
