密か・秘か・窃か・私か|ひそかhisoka[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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Which spelling to use
密か密か is the most common spelling of this word. For learners, use it as the default in ordinary writing.
秘か秘か is less common than 密か. You may encounter it as a written variant, but learners should normally choose 密か.
窃か窃か is rarely used. Recognize it if encountered, but use 密か when writing this word.
私か私か is rarely used. Recognize it if encountered, but use 密か when writing this word.
Definitions
- na-adjectivesecret; private; surreptitious
Conjugation
| Plain form | 密か（ひそか） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 密かです（ひそかです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 密かではない（ひそかではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 密かではありません（ひそかではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 密かだった（ひそかだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 密かではなかった（ひそかではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 密かで（ひそかで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 密かに（ひそかに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 密かなら（ひそかなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym内密ないみつNeutralAdjectival noun for keeping something off the record and handling it privately, as in 「内密に処理する」 or 「内密にお願いします」; 「密か」 stresses not being noticed.
- Synonym秘密ひみつNeutralA noun, the most general word for a secret, as in 「秘密を守る」; it stresses that something must not be told to others, while 「密か」 describes acting covertly.
- Synonym秘めやかひめやかWrittenLiterary adjectival noun for something kept hidden away, as in 「秘めやかな恋」; it has a poetic, written-prose flavor.
- Synonym忍びやかしのびやかNeutralAdjectival noun for moving stealthily so as not to be noticed, as in 「忍びやかな足音」; it focuses on quiet, furtive action.
- Synonym密やかひそやかNeutralAdjectival noun for hushed quietness, as in 「ひそやかな夜」; it shares the same root as 「密か」 but sounds more refined and elegant.
Use 「密か」 for doing something quietly so no one notices, as in 「密かに想う」 or 「密かな楽しみ」. For matters kept off the record choose 「内密」, for things that must not be told 「秘密」, and for hushed quietness 「ひそやか」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
