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.
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.
Please ensure strict management of confidential information.
Top-secret or highly classified information, often used in government or military contexts.
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'.
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.).
Literally 'a story just for here', meaning something told in strict confidence. Very common in casual conversation.
The abstract idea of keeping information secret, often used in phrases like 'maintain confidentiality'.
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.
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.
That's a secret.
I have some confidential information (to share).
彼は私に秘密を打ち明けた。
He confided a secret to me.
Please keep this information confidential.
Just between us, I heard the department head is being transferred next month.
I signed a confidentiality agreement.