How to say "secrecy" in Japanese

• 秘密ひみつJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveThe general, all-purpose word for a secret or for secrecy of any kind, from personal matters to confidentiality; when unsure which word fits, this is the default choice.
  私は彼女かのじょに取り入とりいってうまく秘密ひみつを聞き出ききだした。↗

  I charmed a secret out of her.
• 内緒ないしょCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers secrecy about personal, everyday matters kept between people who know each other, such as friends or family; the feel is casual and intimate rather than official or formal.
  彼女かのじょは内緒ないしょで私にその話はなしをした。↗

  She told me the story in confidence.
• 機密きみつCommon
  nounSecrecy in the sense of highly classified information — official or organizational material, governmental or corporate, whose disclosure is restricted; not the word for everyday personal secrets.
  あそこの会社かいしゃから技術ぎじゅつ情報じょうほうをもらうには、まず機密保持契約きみつほじけいやくを結むすばなければいけない。↗

  To get technical information from that company, we first have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
• 内密ないみつCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveEmphasizes handling a matter discreetly within a small private circle, as with consultations or arrangements kept quiet; it points to discreet handling rather than the secret itself.
  この情報じょうほうは内密ないみつにしてください。↗

  Keep this information under your hat.

Choose 秘密 for secrets and secrecy in general, 内緒 for casual personal secrecy between people who know each other, 機密 for highly classified official information, and 内密 for handling a matter discreetly within a small private circle.

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

• 秘密ひみつsecret
• 内緒ないしょsecrecy
• 機密きみつsecrecy
• 内密ないみつprivacy
• 隠し立てかくしだてsecrecy
• 隠し事かくしごとsecret
• 守秘しゅひkeeping a secret
• 秘密性ひみつせいconfidentiality
• 秘匿性ひとくせいconfidentiality
• 秘密裏ひみつり(in) secrecy
• 隠密裏おんみつり(in) secrecy
• 闇やみhidden place
• 内議ないぎsecrecy
• 内儀ないぎsecret meeting
• 私わたくしsecrecy