Translation guide
How to express 'privately' in Japanese, covering personal thoughts, confidential communication, and non-public settings.
Expressing that something is thought or felt personally, not publicly stated.
Adverb meaning 'inwardly' or 'privately', used for thoughts or feelings not expressed openly.
内心では反対だった。
Privately, I was against it.
Literally 'in one's heart/mind', used to contrast private feelings with outward behavior.
心の中では嬉しかった。
Privately, I was happy.
Means 'personally' or 'privately', often used to give a personal opinion that may differ from the group.
個人的には賛成です。
Privately, I'm in favor.
Describing communication or information shared in private, not for public knowledge.
Adverb meaning 'confidentially' or 'privately', used for keeping matters secret within a small group.
その件は内密に話し合った。
We discussed the matter privately.
Means 'unofficially' or 'privately', often used for discussions outside formal channels.
非公式に会談が行われた。
A meeting was held privately.
Literally 'just the two of us', implying a private conversation without others present.
二人だけで話したい。
I want to talk privately.
Means 'secretly' or 'privately', often with a nuance of stealth or hidden action.
密かに計画を進めた。
They proceeded with the plan privately.
Referring to actions or events that occur away from public view, in a personal space.
Adverb meaning 'personally' or 'privately', used for actions done outside official or public capacity.
個人的に会いたい。
I want to meet privately.
Loanword meaning 'in private', commonly used for personal time or informal settings.
プライベートで会おう。
Let's meet privately.
Literally 'avoiding public gaze', used when privacy is needed to avoid observation.
人目を避けて話した。
We spoke privately, away from prying eyes.
Describing something not owned or run by the government, such as a business or institution.
Prefix meaning 'private' (as opposed to public), used for institutions like schools or hospitals.
私立の学校
a privately run school
Means 'private sector' or 'civilian', used for companies or organizations not government-controlled.
Means 'privately owned' (by an individual), used for property or assets.
個人所有の美術館
a privately owned art museum
The English adverb 'privately' often does not translate directly into a single Japanese word. Choose the expression based on whether you mean 'inwardly', 'confidentially', or 'in a non-public setting'.
民間企業
privately owned company