秘密
himitsu[çimʲit͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for secret is 秘密 (himitsu).
秘密 refers to something confidential or not meant to be disclosed.
Meaning: knowledge that is hidden (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun 秘密 refers to the secret itself, while the related forms 密か and 秘密の function as adjectives to describe something that is being or kept hidden.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
himitsu
Did you know?
- If a secret is leaked, Japanese speakers often use the verb 漏れる (moreru), which is the same verb used for liquids leaking from a container.
- The first kanji in 秘密, 密, also appears in words for 'density' or 'crowdedness', relating the idea of a secret to something tightly packed.
- The word 秘密 is a 'kango' word, meaning it was borrowed from Chinese, whereas 内緒 is a native Japanese expression.
Examples in context
- 秘密を守れる？Can you keep a secret?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can keep a 秘密.Tatoeba #85843 by bunbuku, translation #9594 by CK
- 秘密が漏れた。The secret got out.This sentence is useful for describing how a 秘密 was revealed.Tatoeba #85858 by small_snow, translation #317855 by CK
- 秘密は守れよ。Keep the secret.This sentence is useful for telling someone to protect a 秘密.Tatoeba #9504369 by bunbuku, translation #317868 by CK
- その計画は秘密です。That plan is a secret.
- あの二人は秘密の関係です。Those two have a secret relationship.
- 110 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a surprise party.
- 結衣 Yuiこれは二人だけの秘密だよ。Kore wa futari dake no himitsu da yo.This is a secret between just the two of us.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった、絶対に言わないよ。Wakatta, zettai ni iwanai yo.Understood, I definitely won't say anything.
- 結衣 Yui陽太君を信じてるね。Yota-kun o shinjiteru ne.I trust you, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota任せて、秘密は守るよ。Makasete, himitsu wa mamoru yo.Leave it to me, I will keep the secret.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secret” translations and entries 秘密, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
