Translation guide
How to express doing something secretly in Japanese, from hiding actions to keeping information confidential.
The most common way to say that an action is done in secret, hidden from others.
An adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'stealthily', used when you do something quietly so that no one notices. Very common in everyday speech.
彼はこっそり部屋を抜け出した。
He secretly slipped out of the room.
こっそりお菓子を食べた。
I secretly ate some snacks.
Literally 'as a secret', used when you do something without telling someone, often implying it's a shared secret between a few people. Common in casual contexts.
内緒でプレゼントを買った。
I secretly bought a present.
友達と内緒で計画を立てた。
I secretly made plans with my friend.
A slightly more formal or literary adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'in secret'. Often used for feelings, intentions, or actions done discreetly.
彼女は密かに彼を愛していた。
She secretly loved him.
密かに準備を進めている。
They are secretly making preparations.
The te-form of 隠れる (to hide), used to mean 'while hiding' or 'secretly'. Emphasizes the physical act of hiding.
子供たちは隠れてお菓子を食べていた。
The children were secretly eating snacks while hiding.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'sneakily' or 'furtively', often with a negative nuance of doing something suspicious. More colloquial.
彼はこそこそと何かを探していた。
He was secretly searching for something in a sneaky way.
Expressing that something is done without revealing it to others, often involving information or plans.
Adverbial form of 秘密 (secret), meaning 'confidentially' or 'in secret'. Used when information is kept hidden.
その計画は秘密に進められた。
The plan was carried out secretly.
彼は秘密に会議を開いた。
He secretly held a meeting.
A formal term meaning 'confidentially' or 'privately', often used in business or official contexts.
この件は内密に処理してください。
Please handle this matter confidentially.
A literary expression meaning 'without anyone knowing' or 'secretly'. Often used in written language or poetry.
Expressing hidden thoughts, feelings, or intentions that are not shown outwardly.
Literally 'in one's heart', used to mean 'secretly' when referring to unspoken thoughts or feelings.
心の中で彼の成功を願っていた。
I secretly wished for his success.
Also used for hidden emotions or intentions, as in 'secretly hoping' or 'secretly thinking'.
密かに期待している。
I'm secretly hoping for it.
A noun meaning 'innermost thoughts' or 'true feelings', often used with では to mean 'secretly' or 'inwardly'.
Specifically for secret meetings, dates, or correspondence.
A noun meaning 'secret meeting' or 'clandestine meeting', often used for romantic or conspiratorial contexts. Can be used with する.
二人は密会を重ねた。
The two had secret meetings repeatedly.
A phrase meaning 'to meet secretly', using 密かに with 会う.
彼らは密かに会っていた。
They were meeting secretly.
A casual phrase meaning 'secret date', often used among friends or in light conversation.
昨日、内緒のデートをした。
I had a secret date yesterday.
こっそり emphasizes the stealthy manner of an action (like sneaking). 内緒で focuses on the fact that it's kept secret from someone, often implying a shared secret. 密かに is more formal and can be used for both actions and feelings.
こっそり抜け出す vs 内緒で抜け出す
sneak out quietly vs sneak out without telling anyone
Avoid directly translating 'secretly' as 秘密に in all cases. 秘密に is mainly for confidential information, not for stealthy actions. Use こっそり for physical sneakiness.
彼は人知れず努力を続けた。
He continued his efforts secretly, without anyone knowing.
内心では嬉しかった。
Secretly, I was happy.