密約

• Reading: みつやく
• Romaji: mitsuyaku
• Kanji breakdown: 密 (mitsu) — secret, close, dense; 約 (yaku) — promise, agreement
• Pronunciation: /mi.tsɯ.ja.kɯ/

Meaning

Secret agreement; clandestine pact; an agreement made covertly between parties.

A noun and suru-verb (transitive) referring to an agreement made in secret, typically between governments, organisations, or individuals. Often carries negative connotations of hidden dealings. Historical examples include Japan-US secret agreements (日米密約). As a suru-verb, it is transitive: 密約する (to make a secret agreement).

Examples

1. 両国の間に交わされた密約が数十年後に明るみに出た。 A secret agreement made between the two countries came to light decades later.
2. 政治家同士が密約を結んでいたことが発覚した。 It was revealed that politicians had made a secret agreement among themselves.
3. その密約の内容は今でも完全には公開されていない。 The contents of that secret agreement have still not been fully disclosed.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, diplomacy, history, journalism

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 密 (mitsu, secret/confidential) + 約 (yaku, promise/agreement). Literally 'secret promise,' describing an agreement deliberately kept hidden from public knowledge.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated