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密か (ひそか, hisoka) Japanese meaning: secret | Kotomora
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抱いだ
い
て
い
た
。
He secretly had feelings for her.
As a private pleasure, I write novels late at night.
Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 を 密ひそ かに 計けい 画かく する to secretly plan something
They were secretly planning a new business venture.
密ひそ かな 〈 物もの 〉 a secret (ambition, hope, love, etc.)
She had a secret ambition.
密ひそ かに 〈 動どう 詞し 〉 to do something secretly, in private
He was secretly thinking of her.
〈 人ひと 〉 に 密ひそ かな 期き 待たい を 寄よ せる to secretly place one's hopes in someone
Kanji 密 secrecy, density (pop), minuteness Related words 内緒 is a casual noun for keeping something hidden from specific people, while 密か is a more formal na-adjective describing an action or feeling done in secret.
秘密 is a noun meaning 'a secret' or 'confidential matter', whereas 密か is an adjectival noun describing the manner in which something is done secretly.
内密 is a formal, often bureaucratic term for something kept confidential, while 密か is used more broadly for personal feelings and quiet actions.
Written forms 密ひそ か Usage 32%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form for this word.
ひそか Usage 59%
秘ひそ か Usage 8%
Alternate kanji spelling, less common than 密か but still encountered.
私ひそ か Usage <1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
Etymology The reading ひそか is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 密 carries the meaning of 'secret' or 'dense', fitting the word's sense. The exact derivation is uncertain.
The coach was secretly placing his hopes in the young player's talent.
こっそり
N3
こっそり is a casual adverb emphasizing sneaky, furtive action, while 密か is a more literary na-adjective that can describe hidden feelings as well as actions.
密か is a common na-adjective meaning 'quietly/secretly' for personal feelings or small acts, while 隠密 has a more formal, operational nuance.
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
竊ひそ か Usage <1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not used in modern writing.
