黙秘

• Reading: もくひ
• Romaji: mokuhi
• Kanji breakdown: 黙 (moku) — silent, mute; 秘 (hi) — secret, conceal
• Pronunciation: /mo.kɯ.çi/

Meaning

Remaining silent; exercising the right to silence. Legally or deliberately refusing to speak or disclose information.

A legal and formal noun (黙秘権 = right to remain silent). In legal contexts, 黙秘 refers specifically to the right not to incriminate oneself — the Japanese equivalent of pleading the Fifth in American law. Outside legal settings, it describes an intentional and sustained refusal to divulge information, distinct from 沈黙 (general silence) in implying a deliberate choice not to speak.

Examples

1. 被疑者は取調べ中ずっと黙秘を貫き、一切の供述を拒んだ。 The suspect maintained silence throughout the interrogation, refusing to make any statements.
2. 黙秘権は、刑事訴訟において被疑者に保障された重要な権利だ。 The right to remain silent is an important right guaranteed to suspects in criminal proceedings.
3. 上司に問い詰められたが、彼は黙秘を続けるだけで何も語らなかった。 Even when pressed by his boss, he simply continued to remain silent and said nothing.

Usage Guide

Context: law, criminal proceedings, interrogation, legal rights

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound. 黙 means to be silent or keep quiet, 秘 means to keep secret or conceal — together expressing the deliberate concealment of information through silence.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal