Translation guide
How to express the idea of keeping information secret or private in Japanese, covering formal agreements, everyday privacy, and professional discretion.
Referring to the principle or obligation to keep information secret, often in business, legal, or medical contexts.
The legal or professional duty of confidentiality. Commonly used in contracts, corporate policies, and professional ethics.
医師には守秘義務がある。
Doctors have a duty of confidentiality.
守秘義務契約にサインしてください。
Please sign the confidentiality agreement.
The act of maintaining secrecy. Often used in formal documents like NDAs (秘密保持契約).
秘密保持契約を結ぶ。
To sign a non-disclosure agreement.
The quality of being confidential, often used in information security contexts (e.g., data confidentiality).
データの機密性を確保する。
Ensure data confidentiality.
Talking about the act of not revealing information, in everyday or less formal situations.
To keep something a secret; to not tell others. Very common in casual conversation.
この話は内緒にしてね。
Keep this between us, okay?
彼は給料を内緒にしている。
He keeps his salary a secret.
To make something a secret; to keep confidential. Slightly more formal than 内緒.
その情報は秘密にしてください。
Please keep that information confidential.
Concealment; keeping something hidden. Used in technical or formal contexts like data anonymization.
Emphasizing the protection of personal information or the need to be discreet.
Privacy. Often used in contexts like personal data protection or respecting someone's private life.
患者のプライバシーを守る。
Protect patient confidentiality/privacy.
Strict confidentiality. Often seen on documents or as a policy.
この書類は秘密厳守です。
This document is strictly confidential.
To not disclose; to keep one's mouth shut. Implies a promise not to tell anyone.
ここで聞いたことは一切口外しないでください。
Please do not disclose anything you hear here.
Referring to the secret or private information rather than the concept of confidentiality.
Classified or confidential information, often in business or government.
機密情報を漏らしてはいけない。
You must not leak confidential information.
Secret information; slightly broader than 機密情報, can be used in legal contexts.
秘密情報の取り扱いに注意する。
Be careful with the handling of confidential information.
内緒 (naisho) is casual and often used among friends or family for personal secrets. 秘密 (himitsu) is more neutral and can be used in both casual and formal settings. For legal or professional confidentiality, use 守秘義務 or 秘密保持.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'confidentiality'. Choose the expression based on context: legal duty (守秘義務), general secrecy (秘密), or privacy (プライバシー). Using 機密性 outside of IT security may sound unnatural.
Concealment of personal information is necessary.