Translation guide
How to express doing something secretly, without others knowing, in Japanese.
The action is performed without others' knowledge, often implying concealment.
An adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'stealthily', used for actions done quietly to avoid being noticed. Very common and natural.
Not revealing information; maintaining confidentiality.
To keep something a secret, often between individuals. Very common in casual contexts.
このことは内緒にしておいて。
Keep this a secret, okay?
Doing something without a specific person's knowledge, often with a nuance of betrayal or sneakiness.
Literally 'in the shadows', meaning behind someone's back or secretly. Often used for gossip or actions hidden from a person.
彼は陰で悪口を言う。
He talks behind people's backs.
陰でこそこそするのはやめて。
Stop doing things secretly behind my back.
こっそり emphasizes stealthy action to avoid being seen or heard. 内緒で focuses on keeping something confidential from a specific person or group. 密かに is more about hidden feelings or intentions, often used in formal or literary contexts.
He secretly slipped out of the room.
こっそりお菓子を食べた。
I secretly ate some snacks.
Means 'in secret' or 'confidentially', often used when keeping something from someone specific. Common in daily conversation.
内緒でプレゼントを買った。
I bought a present in secret.
これは内緒でお願いします。
Please keep this a secret.
A slightly more formal or literary adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'in private'. Can imply hidden feelings or intentions.
彼女は密かに彼を愛していた。
She secretly loved him.
密かに計画を進めている。
They are secretly advancing the plan.
Literally 'as a secret', used when something is done confidentially. Often used with verbs like する or 行う.
その会議は秘密に行われた。
The meeting was held in secret.
Literary expression meaning 'without anyone knowing' or 'unbeknownst to others'. Used in writing or formal speech.
彼は人知れず努力を続けた。
He continued his efforts in secret.
To make something a secret; more general than 内緒にする. Can be used in formal or informal settings.
その情報は秘密にされている。
That information is kept secret.