Translation guide
A secret account is a financial or online account kept hidden from others, often for privacy, illicit purposes, or personal discretion. In Japanese, the expression depends on the nuance: a hidden bank account, a secret social media account, or an account under a false name.
An account (bank, savings, investment) kept secret from family, spouse, or authorities, often for hiding money.
The most direct and common translation for a secret bank account. Used in contexts like hiding money from a spouse or tax evasion.
彼は妻に隠し口座を持っている。
He has a secret account hidden from his wife.
Literally 'secret account', but less common than 隠し口座. Often used in formal or legal contexts, such as offshore secret accounts.
その政治家は秘密口座を使って賄賂を受け取っていた。
The politician was receiving bribes using a secret account.
Implies an 'underground' or 'backdoor' account, often with a nuance of illegality or shady dealings. Used in news about slush funds.
企業が裏口座を利用して利益を隠していた。
The company was hiding profits using secret accounts.
A secondary or anonymous account on social media, forums, or online services, used to hide one's identity or activities.
Common slang for a secret or alternate social media account, often used to post things one wouldn't on a main account. Abbreviated as 裏アカ.
彼女は裏アカウントで本音を投稿している。
She posts her true feelings on her secret account.
A more neutral and descriptive way to say 'secret account' for online services. Less slangy than 裏アカウント.
彼は秘密のアカウントでゲームをしている。
He plays games on a secret account.
Literally 'sub account', often used for a secondary account that may or may not be secret. Not necessarily hidden, but can be used discreetly.
サブアカウントで趣味の投稿をしている。
I post about my hobbies on my sub account.
An account opened using a fake identity or alias, often for fraudulent purposes.
Specifically a bank account under a false name. Used in crime or fraud contexts.
犯人は偽名口座を使って金を移動させた。
The criminal transferred money using an account under a false name.
A fictitious or non-existent account, often created for fraud. Can also refer to a shell account.
その会社は架空口座を使って売上を水増ししていた。
The company inflated sales using fictitious accounts.
隠し口座 emphasizes the act of hiding (from someone specific), while 秘密口座 simply means 'secret account' and is more formal. In everyday conversation about hiding money from a spouse, 隠し口座 is more natural.
The literal translation '秘密のアカウント' is understandable but can sound awkward for bank accounts. Use 隠し口座 or 秘密口座 for financial contexts, and 裏アカウント for social media.