こっそりkossori

1. adverb (with と)stealthily; secretly; in secret
   彼かれはそのことを私にこっそり話はなしてくれた。↗

   He told me about it in private.

• SynonymそっとNeutralEmphasizes a light, quiet action — moving gently or softly, or leaving something undisturbed. 「こっそり」 is about not letting anyone notice you.
• Synonym人知れずひとしれずNeutralMeans without anyone knowing, often with effort, worries or tears, as in 「人知れず努力する」; the tone is lyrical. 「こっそり」 is everyday speech for deliberately dodging eyes.
• Synonym密々みつみつWrittenAlso means doing something privately and in secret, but it belongs to written prose and is rare in speech; just say 「こっそり」 in conversation.
• Synonym内密にないみつにFormalFormal word for keeping a matter confidential and off the record, common in business, as in 「内密にお願いします」. 「こっそり」 is the concrete act of dodging people's eyes.
• Related内々うちうちNeutralCovers matters handled only among insiders and kept from outsiders, as in 「内々に済ませる」. 「こっそり」 is about sneaking off to do something away from particular people.
• Related暗々のうちにあんあんのうちにWrittenWritten expression for acting covertly without showing it; typical of abstract things like tacit understanding or influence. For concrete sneaking, use 「こっそり」.
• Related心密かにこころひそかにWrittenUsed for secretly cherishing a thought or hope in one's heart, as in 「心密かに願う」; the focus is inner feelings, while 「こっそり」 typically describes concrete actions.
• Related陰ながらかげながらNeutralFor quietly supporting or praying for someone behind the scenes, as in 「陰ながら応援する」; it carries goodwill. 「こっそり」 has no such warm nuance.
• Antonym公然こうぜんWrittenWritten-style word for doing something openly, in full view and without hiding, as in 「公然と批判する」. It is the opposite of 「こっそり」 in whether you avoid being seen.
• Antonym堂々どうどうNeutralDoing something openly and unashamed, without dodging anyone, as in 「堂々と入る」; it can also mean grand or imposing. Opposite of 「こっそり」 in avoiding notice.

Default to 「こっそり」 for doing something without being noticed. Use 「そっと」 for light, quiet actions, 「内密に」 for formal confidentiality, 「心密かに」 for secret hopes, and 「陰ながら」 for behind-the-scenes support.

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

1. あることを気付きづかれないように行おこなう様子ようす。