Translation guide
A meeting that is kept hidden from others, often for privacy, conspiracy, or romance. Japanese has several words depending on the nuance: clandestine political meetings, secret romantic rendezvous, or simply private gatherings.
A private, often romantic encounter between two people, hidden from others.
The most direct equivalent for a secret meeting, especially romantic or conspiratorial. Often used for affairs or clandestine lovers' meetings.
二人は週末に密会を重ねていた。
They had secret meetings every weekend.
A dated but still understood term for a lovers' secret rendezvous. Evokes a more poetic or old-fashioned feel.
彼らは人目を避けて逢引を楽しんだ。
They enjoyed their secret rendezvous away from prying eyes.
A casual, everyday phrase meaning 'to meet secretly'. Not necessarily romantic, but often implies hiding from someone.
親に内緒でこっそり会っている。
We're meeting secretly without our parents knowing.
A meeting held in secret for plotting, conspiracy, or sensitive negotiations.
Refers to a secret talk or private conference, often with a conspiratorial nuance. Focuses on the discussion itself.
閣僚たちは深夜まで密談を続けた。
The cabinet ministers continued their secret talks until late at night.
A straightforward compound meaning 'secret meeting/conference'. Used for formal or organizational contexts.
A more literary term for secret consultation or conspiracy. Rare in everyday speech.
反乱軍は密議を凝らした。
The rebels held secret councils.
A meeting that is not public, but not necessarily for nefarious purposes. Simply a gathering kept confidential.
A neutral phrase for a confidential or private meeting. Suitable for business or personal contexts.
内密の会合が都内のホテルで行われた。
A private meeting was held at a hotel in the city.
Literally 'non-public gathering'. Emphasizes that the meeting is closed to outsiders.
その委員会は非公開の集まりを開いた。
The committee held a closed-door meeting.
密会 (mikkai) often implies a romantic or conspiratorial secret meeting, while 秘密会議 (himitsu kaigi) is a more neutral term for any secret conference, often used in organizational or political contexts.
The direct translation '秘密の会議' (himitsu no kaigi) is grammatically correct but can sound unnatural or overly literal. Use established compounds like 密会 or 秘密会議 instead.
その組織は定期的に秘密会議を開いている。
The organization holds secret meetings regularly.