비밀
bimil[ˈpi(ː)miɭ]
In Korean, the English word "secret" is 비밀 (bimil).
비밀 is the most common and general term for "secret" in Korean. For example, if you want to talk about a password or PIN, you use 비밀번호, which literally means "secret number". There are other specialized terms for different contexts: 기밀 is used for official or confidential matters like government or military secrets, 비결 refers to a secret method or hidden knowledge, 은밀 describes something being done in a discreet or covert manner and 비공개 means something is "not publicly disclosed".
Meaning: knowledge that is hidden (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "as a secret," you add the particle 로 to the noun to form 비밀로. When expressing actions, you use specific verbs: 비밀을 지키다 means "to keep a secret" and 비밀을 밝히다 means "to reveal a secret".
How do you pronounce it?
bimil
What mistakes should you avoid?
To express the serious act of leaking or divulging a secret, avoid using the casual word for "to speak" and instead use the more formal verb 누설하다.
Did you know?
- In Korean, the phrase 비밀을 지키다 uses the verb 지키다, which can also mean 'to guard' or 'to protect'.
- The word 비밀 is a Sino-Korean word derived from the Chinese characters 祕 and 密, both of which carry the meaning of being hidden or secret.
- The term 기밀 is strictly reserved for government or military secrets and would sound strangely formal if used for a secret between friends.
Examples in context
- 너는 이걸 비밀로 할 수는 없어.You can't keep this a secret.This sentence shows how to use the phrase "keep it as a secret" with 비밀.Tatoeba #8361485 by Eunhee, translation #1952035 by CK
- 우리는 그것을 비밀에 부쳐야 했다.We had to keep it secret.This sentence demonstrates the expression "to keep something secret" using 비밀.Tatoeba #5526654 by raining211, translation #3164407 by CK
- 그는 자신의 비밀을 밝히지 않았다.He didn't reveal his secret.This sentence shows how to use the verb "to reveal" with 비밀.Tatoeba #11105218 by intertime, translation #302963 by CK
- 비밀을 지키다To keep a secret
- 기밀문서Confidential document
- 비밀이야It's a secret
- 은밀한 사랑Secret love or clandestine romance
- 비공개 정보Confidential information
- 비밀을 지킬 수 있어?Can you keep a secret?
- 이건 최고 기밀 사항입니다.This is a top-secret matter.
- 우리만의 작은 비밀이야.It's our little secret.
- 이건 비밀로 해주십시오.Please keep this confidential.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are talking about a surprise party.
- 지은 Ji-eun이건 우리 둘만의 비밀이야.Igeon uri dulmanui bimil-iya.This is a secret between just the two of us.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은아, 걱정 마. 절대 말 안 할게.Ji-eun-a, geokjeong ma. Jeoldae mal an halge.Ji-eun, don't worry. I will never tell.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말이지? 지훈이 너 믿을게.Jeongmal-iji? Ji-hun-i neo mil-eulge.Really? Ji-hoon, I'll trust you.
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 꼭 지킬게.Eung, kkok jikilge.Yes, I will definitely keep it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secret” translations and entries 비밀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 비밀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
