秘密

• Reading: ひみつ
• Romaji: himitsu
• Kanji breakdown: 秘 (hi) — secret, hidden; 密 (mitsu) — dense, close, secret
• Pronunciation: /çi.mi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Secret; secrecy; confidentiality. Information that is hidden or not shared with others.

Functions as a noun or な-adjective (秘密の/秘密な). Common patterns include 秘密にする (to keep secret), 秘密を守る (to keep a secret), and 秘密がある (to have a secret). Can describe anything from personal secrets to classified information. Children often use it playfully, while adults use it in serious contexts.

Examples

1. これは二人だけの秘密だよ。 This is a secret just between the two of us.
2. 彼女には何か秘密があるようだ。 She seems to be hiding some kind of secret.
3. 会社の秘密を外部に漏らしてはいけません。 You must not leak company secrets to outsiders.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, relationships, workplace

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 秘 (hi, secret/hidden) and 密 (mitsu, dense/close). Together they mean closely hidden — something sealed away from view or knowledge.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal