Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'confidential information' depends on context: formal business settings use specific terms like 機密情報, while everyday conversation often uses simpler phrases like 内緒の話. The concept is closely tied to social obligations and trust.
Information that is legally or contractually protected, such as trade secrets, corporate data, or government secrets.
The standard term for confidential information in legal, corporate, and governmental contexts. Often used in NDAs and official documents.
この書類には機密情報が含まれています。
This document contains confidential information.
You must not disclose confidential information to third parties.
Also means confidential information, but slightly broader, covering any secret information. Common in contracts and security contexts.
秘密情報の管理を徹底してください。
Please ensure strict management of confidential information.
Top-secret or highly classified information, often used in government or military contexts.
その極秘情報は厳重に保管されている。
That top-secret information is kept under strict security.
Information meant to be kept secret among individuals, such as personal secrets, gossip, or private matters.
A common, casual way to refer to something told in confidence. Implies 'just between us'.
これは内緒の話なんだけど、彼女は転職するらしいよ。
This is confidential, but I heard she's changing jobs.
General word for 'secret'. Can be used for personal confidential information, but is broader than just information (can be a secret method, etc.).
彼は私に秘密を打ち明けた。
He confided a secret to me.
この情報は秘密にしておいてください。
Please keep this information confidential.
Literally 'a story just for here', meaning something told in strict confidence. Very common in casual conversation.
ここだけの話、部長は来月異動になるそうだ。
Just between us, I heard the department head is being transferred next month.
The abstract idea of keeping information secret, often used in phrases like 'maintain confidentiality'.
Duty of confidentiality, often a legal or professional obligation. Used for doctors, lawyers, etc.
医師には守秘義務がある。
Doctors have a duty of confidentiality.
Maintenance of secrecy; often used in contracts as 'confidentiality obligation'.
Using 機密情報 in everyday conversation sounds overly formal and stiff. Instead, use 内緒の話 or ここだけの話 for personal secrets.
これは内緒の話なんだけど…
This is confidential, but...
秘密 is a general noun for 'secret', while 内緒 is more about the act of keeping something between people. 内緒の話 is specifically a confidential story or piece of information.
それは秘密です。
That's a secret.
内緒の話があるんだけど。
I have some confidential information (to share).
秘密保持契約にサインした。
I signed a confidentiality agreement.