Translation guide
How to express doing something secretly in Japanese, from hiding actions to keeping information confidential.
The most common way to say that an action is done in secret, hidden from others.
An adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'stealthily', used when you do something quietly so that no one notices. Very common in everyday speech.
He secretly slipped out of the room.
I secretly ate some snacks.
Literally 'as a secret', used when you do something without telling someone, often implying it's a shared secret between a few people. Common in casual contexts.
I secretly bought a present.
I secretly made plans with my friend.
A slightly more formal or literary adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'in secret'. Often used for feelings, intentions, or actions done discreetly.
She secretly loved him.
They are secretly making preparations.
The te-form of 隠れる (to hide), used to mean 'while hiding' or 'secretly'. Emphasizes the physical act of hiding.
The children were secretly eating snacks while hiding.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'sneakily' or 'furtively', often with a negative nuance of doing something suspicious. More colloquial.
He was secretly searching for something in a sneaky way.
Expressing that something is done without revealing it to others, often involving information or plans.
Adverbial form of 秘密 (secret), meaning 'confidentially' or 'in secret'. Used when information is kept hidden.
The plan was carried out secretly.
He secretly held a meeting.
A formal term meaning 'confidentially' or 'privately', often used in business or official contexts.
Please handle this matter confidentially.
A literary expression meaning 'without anyone knowing' or 'secretly'. Often used in written language or poetry.
Expressing hidden thoughts, feelings, or intentions that are not shown outwardly.
Literally 'in one's heart', used to mean 'secretly' when referring to unspoken thoughts or feelings.
I secretly wished for his success.
Also used for hidden emotions or intentions, as in 'secretly hoping' or 'secretly thinking'.
I'm secretly hoping for it.
A noun meaning 'innermost thoughts' or 'true feelings', often used with では to mean 'secretly' or 'inwardly'.
Specifically for secret meetings, dates, or correspondence.
A noun meaning 'secret meeting' or 'clandestine meeting', often used for romantic or conspiratorial contexts. Can be used with する.
The two had secret meetings repeatedly.
A phrase meaning 'to meet secretly', using 密かに with 会う.
They were meeting secretly.
A casual phrase meaning 'secret date', often used among friends or in light conversation.
I had a secret date yesterday.
こっそり emphasizes the stealthy manner of an action (like sneaking). 内緒で focuses on the fact that it's kept secret from someone, often implying a shared secret. 密かに is more formal and can be used for both actions and feelings.
sneak out quietly vs sneak out without telling anyone
Avoid directly translating 'secretly' as 秘密に in all cases. 秘密に is mainly for confidential information, not for stealthy actions. Use こっそり for physical sneakiness.
He continued his efforts secretly, without anyone knowing.
内心では嬉しかった。
Secretly, I was happy.