How to say "private" in Japanese

• 民間みんかんJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'private' as opposed to governmental or official: the private sector, civilian organizations and businesses that are not run by the state. Typical in talk about business, employment and the economy.
  合衆国がっしゅうこくでは２億１６００万におくいちろくれいれいまん丁ちょうもの鉄砲てっぽう類るいが、民間みんかんの手てにあるという。↗

  In the U.S., as many as 216 million firearms are said to be in private hands.
• プライベートCommon
  na-adjectiveThe loanword covers 'private' as in one's personal life, time or space, separate from work or public life; use it for matters you keep to yourself.
  今回こんかいはじめてプライベートヴィラに滞在たいざいしましたが、これがなかなか良よいです。↗

  This time I stayed for the first time in a private villa, and it was really quite something.
• 私立しりつJLPT N2approx.Common
  no-adjectiveRestricted to establishments: a school, university, hospital or similar institution that is privately run rather than national or public. It does not describe private life, time or matters in general.
  私立しりつの学校がっこうはどういう感かんじですか。↗

  How is it in a private school?
• 私的してきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'private' meaning personal rather than official or public: matters, visits, relationships or interests that belong to an individual and not to an organization or official capacity.
  クリスはお気に入きにいりの女の子おんなのこ、ケイトがベスと私的してきな会話かいわをしているのを見みかけました。↗

  Chris saw his favorite girl, Kate, having a private conversation with Beth.
• 密かひそかJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveHere 'private' really means secret or covert: done quietly so that others will not notice. It is seldom the word you want for one's private life or personal matters; think 'secret' first.
  彼かれはひそかにあなたの財産ざいさんを狙ねらっていますよ。↗

  He has designs on your property.

Use 民間 for non-governmental, 私立 for privately run institutions, 私的 for personal rather than official matters, 「プライベート」 for one's personal life, and 「密か」 only when 'private' means secret or covert.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 民間みんかんprivate
• プライベートprivate
• 私立しりつprivate (establishment)
• 私的してきprivate
• 密かひそかsecret
• 個人こじんindividual
• 内々うちうちprivate
• 私設しせつprivate
• 非公開ひこうかいprivate
• 個人的こじんてきpersonal
• 水入らずみずいらず(being) among close family or friends only
• 兵卒へいそつprivate (soldier)
• 二士にしprivate (JGSDF)
• 二等兵にとうへいprivate
• 一兵卒いっぺいそつprivate
• 二等陸士にとうりくしprivate (JGSDF)
• 雑兵ぞうひょうcommon soldier
• 一己いっこpersonal
• 内聞ないぶんsecret
• 人目につかないひとめにつかないunperceived
• 私わたくしpersonal (affairs, etc.)
• 平ひらlow-ranking employee